Tap water screams great value in tough financial times

What is the true value of tap water? For most people in North Georgia, the answer is less than a penny a gallon —- and on average, one-half of a monthly cable bill. What a bargain for a basic life need!

Georgia’s recent drought and the challenges associated with a shrinking water supply are keeping water on our mind.

But few of us stop to think about the value of tap water in terms of financial cost —- especially in comparison to other products we use on a daily basis.

Here are some prices I found in my local supermarket:

One gallon of orange juice: $5.15.

24 bottles of water, about 3 gallons: $3.99.

One gallon of milk: $3.50.

One latte: $2.50.

One gallon of Coke: $2.50.

One gallon of tap water: less than 1 cent.

When economic times are tight, we start to look at our purchases in terms of what we can get for our money —- and nothing quite compares to tap water —- especially when you consider the process of delivering tap water.

Water must be pumped from the source to the treatment plant, purified through at least five treatment steps, tested continually and pumped again through the distribution system to the consumer.

The price of water also includes operations and maintenance of the treatment facility, pumping stations, pipelines, construction, renewal of infrastructure, and the salaries of the professionals who operate the system. And take a look at what you get delivered straight to your tap: safe drinking water. Not to mention fire protection, recreation and sanitation.

The current drought has brought visibility to the water industry, and more importantly, has demonstrated that water is not a limitless resource. A safe, reliable water supply has a financial cost associated with it —- but this cost is minimal, while the value is immeasurable.

So, the next time you turn on your faucet, remember the benefits of tap water. And when you get your water bill, remember that it’s still one of the best values in these tough economic times.

> Kathy Nguyen is president of the Georgia Water Wise Council and conservation coordinator for the Cobb County Water System.