Economic evaluation of alternative farm water sources in the claypan area of Illinois

Moore, C.L.; Swanson, E.R.; Seitz, W.D.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/89951 Copy

Description

Title

Economic evaluation of alternative farm water sources in the claypan area of Illinois

Author(s)

• Moore, C.L.
• Swanson, E.R.
• Seitz, W.D.

Issue Date

1973

Keyword(s)

• Water resource development
• Water resource development--Illinois
• Agriculture
• Farm water supply
• Farm wells
• Farm ponds
• Water quality
• Cost analysis
• Rural water systems
• Nitrate contamination

Geographic Coverage

Illinois (state)

Abstract

The claypan area of Illinois is characterized by unreliable water supplies. In addition, water quality problems have recently been recognized in the form of widespread nitrate coliform contamination of water in private wells in Washington County. A ten-square mile area in this county was selected for study. The nature of present water supplies was described and the costs of six alternative supply systems were estimated: (1) present on-farm sources, (2) treatment of pond water, (3) combination of present on-farm sources plus hauling, (4) hauling all water, (5) purchasing water from nearby municipality via pipeline, (6) combination pipeline plus on-farm sources. The six alternatives were examined in terms of the net present value of costs associated with each alternative, considering a 40-year planning period. Although the present sources proved to be the least costly they are unsatisfactory for reasons of health and also reliability. Treatment of pond water was the least-cost source of meeting the quality requirements for water for the total area. However, the reliability of this source and questions of personal preference against drinking pond water may indicate a preference among some users for connection with a municipal system which was somewhat more expensive.

Publisher

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Water Resources Center

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/89951

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

• U.S. Geological Survey
• U.S. Department of the Interior

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 1973 held by C.L. Moore, E.R, Swanson, W.D.Seitz

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