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Reuse of treated municipal wastewater in drylands: Multi-sector optimization analysis for middle Rio Grande case study

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  • Olofinsao, Oluwatosin A.
  • Wang, Jingjing
  • Berrens, Robert P.

Abstract

Growing populations and water demands in drylands, exacerbated by climate change, strain freshwater resources. This study constructs a regional, multi-sector optimization model to explore the economic effects of alternatives for reusing treated municipal wastewater (TMW) in drylands. Focusing on the Middle Rio Grande Basin in the southwestern state of New Mexico, USA, this investigation innovatively considers agriculture as a nutrient sink. The analysis develops a theoretical optimization model for TMW reuse across three sectors simultaneously: agricultural (commercial farming); urban (greenspace provision); and environmental (river instream flow provision). A constrained optimization is used to calculate the value of water in the commercial crop farming sector, and the benefit transfer approach is used to obtain water values in the urban and environmental sectors. Results indicate that water is valued roughly comparably in urban greenspace ($205.26 per acre-foot) and environmental ($220.39 per acre-foot) sectors, and while agriculture acts as a nutrient sink it still realizes a much lower water value ($28.30 per acre-foot). Therefore, it is recommended that policymakers and the municipal authority prioritize the allocation of TMW for environmental flow and urban greenspace. Understanding water's economic value across alternative uses is crucial information for water policy and governance in water-scarce regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Olofinsao, Oluwatosin A. & Wang, Jingjing & Berrens, Robert P., 2025. "Reuse of treated municipal wastewater in drylands: Multi-sector optimization analysis for middle Rio Grande case study," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:juipol:v:95:y:2025:i:c:s0957178725000566
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jup.2025.101941
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Berrens, Robert P. & Bohara, Alok K. & Jenkins-Smith, Hank & Silva, Carol L. & Ganderton, Philip & Brookshire, David, 1998. "A joint investigation of public support and public values: case of instream flows in New Mexico," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 27(2), pages 189-203, November.
    2. Berrens, Robert P. & Jenkins-Smith, Hank & Bohara, Alok K. & Silva, Carol L., 2002. "Further Investigation of Voluntary Contribution Contingent Valuation: Fair Share, Time of Contribution, and Respondent Uncertainty," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 44(1), pages 144-168, July.
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    5. Berrens, Robert P. & Ganderton, Philip T. & Silva, Carol L., 1996. "Valuing The Protection Of Minimum Instream Flows In New Mexico," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 21(2), pages 1-16, December.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • Q25 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Water
    • Q57 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Ecological Economics

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