Making the Caser for Reuse--California wine country project shows triple-bottom-line analysis can pay off

摘要

California is a world leader in water reuse, but use of recycled water in the state's 15 billion dollars wine industry is limited due to concerns about water quality and public perception. However, given the recent threat to water supply and potential effects of climate change, wine growers are beginning to consider alternative sources of irrigation water. As part of this initiative, the Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District (SVCSD) -- in conjunction with the Sonoma County Water Agency, Valley of the Moon Water District, and City of Sonoma -- initiated financial and economic analyses of recycled water use for the SVCSD Recycled Water Project. The partner agencies used a triple-bottom-line (TBL) analysis to consider the financial, social, and environmental benefits of using recycled water. This approach enabled the agencies to consider the overall economy by factoring in the values of the stakeholders, community, and ratepayers. Additionally, it presented an opportunity for them to showcase their environmental stewardship in a quantifiable fashion.