COSTS OF WATER-TREATMENT DUE TO DIMINISHED WATER-QUALITY - A CASE-STUDY IN TEXAS

The cost of municipal water treatment due to diminished water quality represents an important component of the societal costs of water pollu tion. Here the chemical costs of municipal water treatment are express ed as a function of raw surface water quality. Data are used for a 3-y ear period for 12 water treatment plants in Texas. Results show that w hen regional raw water contamination is present, the chemical cost of water treatment is increased by $95 per million gallons (per 3785 m(3) ) from a base of $75. A 1% increase in turbidity is shown to increase chemical costs by 0.25%.