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<br />. <br /> <br />w <br />CJl <br />c;; <br />0) <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />USBRIMWD SALINITY MANAGEMENT STUDY <br />FINAL REPORT <br /> <br />ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF SALINITY MANAGEMENT <br /> <br />Reducing the salinity of delivered water and correcting the salt imbalance of the coastal plain, <br />offers potential for sizeable public benefit. Conversely, degradation of higher salt <br />concentrations would cause significant impacts to water consumers and local resources. <br /> <br />High salinity is a significant water quality problem. As salinity increases laundry detergents <br />work less effectively, plumbing fixtures and home appliances wear out faster; and industrial <br />users incur extra treatment costs for cooling towers, boilers, and manufacturing processes. At <br />sufficiently high levels, salty water also begins to have an undesirable taste and results in some <br />increased purchases of bottled water or home treatment devices. Recycling and compliance <br />with state and federal wastewater discharge permits becomes difficult to accomplish. <br />Increased salinity in groundwater requires blending with less saline sources. Vegetation can <br />experience restricted growth and reduce crop yield. Technical Appendix 3 provides additional <br />information on the physical impacts of high salinity. Technical Appendix 5 addresses details <br />related to the economic benefits of reducing high-TDS water supplies. <br /> <br />ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT MODEL <br /> <br />The Salinity Management Study team worked extensively with USBR, and Member Agency <br />staffs to update the 1988 USBR model to assess regional impacts of salinity. New data, <br />assessments, surveys and economic factors applicable to the Metropolitan service area were <br />incorporated into the USBR model to improve the accuracy of the economic impact and <br />benefit estimates. <br /> <br />As a result of extensive peer and expert review, a residential survey, and case study analysis, it <br />was concluded that municipal consumers, industry, agriculture, and public water and <br />wastewater systems experience significant costs from sustained levels of high salinity. The <br />following categories in Table 2-4 were investigated to determine economic relationships. <br /> <br />BOOKMAN-EDMONSTON Section 2 <br />ENGINEERING, INC. 2-17 Salinity Problems, Impacts, & Technology <br />O:\LOCALRES\ANDYS\SALINITY\JUNE98-2\6SECTI.DOC Last printed 07120/98 10: 17 AM <br /> <br />"'% <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />