The water pipeline can either follow an existing easement along a highway or piped directly to the treatment site. The direct route is higher in cost per mile, but the distance is slightly less. Treatment at the site at slightly more expensive due compliance with forest service regulations. Well 2 is situated on municipal property within the city. Trenching costs are higher for either method because streets and sidewalks will be torn up and then have to be repaired.
Treatment is less expensive at the water plant.
On site treatment would require purchasing additional property for a treatment facility. The owner of the property is not willing to sell the required land or pipeline easement and property condemnation will be required. Therefore, piping via the highway easement is less expensive. Additionally, the direct path would require trenching under the river or constructing a pipeline bridge. Treatment costs are only slightly different.