June 29, 2009

Getting off the grid: Alternative water systems raise new issues

Photo courtesy David Freed, King County [enlarge]

Communities have a big investment in treatment systems such as the new $1.8 billion Brightwater plant, and are counting on ratepayers to continue paying to build and maintain these systems.

Water conservation is gaining momentum, both in building design and national policy. But there could be a problem out on the horizon: If a lot of buildings start to treat their own water how will communities pay for existing wastewater systems?

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