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Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa
That's a tall order. The plant was supposed to cost $98 million; it actually cost $158 million. Construction began in 2001; it wasn't fully operational until six years later.
It produces expensive water. Desalinated water costs about three times the price of groundwater and twice as much as river water. The cost is not a big concern to environmentalists because the overpumping of ground water has been destroying lakes and ponds, as well as old growth cypress trees in the area of the wells providing water for Pinellas County.
Other environmentalists are concerned that the plant pumps super-salty water into Tampa Bay, which might be detrimental to marine biology.
To actually answer your question, I don't know to what extent the use of desalinated water affects my personal water bill.
It's a complex issue. You might want to read more at Once-troubled desal plant gets mixed reviews | TBO.com and The Tampa Tribune |
Thanks for the info. I didn't realize the desalination process required chemicals. Also didn't think a reservoir was a viable alternative to desal in Florida.