Potable Reuse Water and Pricing: What Does the Future Hold?

Abstract

For water agencies in many parts of the United States, the need to secure reliable sources of water supplies has never been more pressing. Forecast population growth, concerns about the long‐term impact of climate change, and, of course, severe drought conditions in the southwestern and south central United States have made the acquisition and development of new water supplies a critical priority. Agencies are on the lookout for alternative water sources, and cost of water in the spot market has increased significantly. The cost of long‐term sources of potable water supply has also increased. Many water utilities are turning to nontraditional sources of supply such as large‐scale desalination and indirect or direct potable water reuse projects that were once rejected as being too expensive or controversial.