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ECONOMIC AND ENERGY ANALYSES OF REGIONAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
Citation:
Heggen, R. AND K. Williamson. ECONOMIC AND ENERGY ANALYSES OF REGIONAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/5-78/019.
Description:
Two strategic approaches to water quality control in Oregon's Willamette River are presently being utilized: point source treatment and flow augmentation from reservoirs. Input/Output analysis (I/O) provides an econometric methodology to study direct and indirect energy response to pollution control alternatives. An energy I/O national model is coupled with a comprehensive Willamette River dissolved oxygen model. Three approaches to environmental control for the Willamette are examined. One is that of current enforcement coupled with present levels of augmentation. Another consists of less augmentation and increased wastewater treatment. The third approach consists of increased flow augmentation for water quality control. Each alternative of environmental control is evaluated as if it had been practiced in a study year of low natural runoff. The relation of augmentation for water quality to other river uses is used to value flow in a benefits-foregone manner. Reservoir costs are allocated to water quality. For alternatives of treatment and augmentation, river quality, dollar cost and energy impact response surfaces are developed.