Water Intelligence Online © IWA Publishing 2002

Residential water demand: the impact of management procedures during shortage periods

Á. García Valiñas: [University of Oviedo, Economics and Business Studies Faculty, Economics Department, Avda. Del Cristo, s/n C.P. 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain. email: marian@econo.uniovi.es]

This paper tries to analyse, from an economic perspective, the effect of various measures to combat drought in a context of urban water supply. A wide range of mechanisms allow us to limit water consumption, such as rates, supply restrictions (quantitative as well as qualitative) or campaigns to increase public awareness. The aim of this paper is to analyse the impact which these control instruments have on the water demand of domestic economies. For this purpose, we use information related to the city of Seville, and to the procedures followed during the drought of the period 1992–95. A residential water demand function is estimated in order to assess the importance of the repercussion of the different procedures applied. The degree of response of the Sevillian households will provide a solid basis for management and decision-taking during future periods of water shortage.

Full article (PDF Format)

UNIQUE ID: 200205022