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Book Details
Abstract
On the one hand, population and economic growth are increasing the demand for water but on the other, environmental consequences of climate change, pollution and over extraction of groundwater are decreasing the worlds supply of fresh water. This makes the availability of water for human use one of the greatest global concerns of this century. Neither levelling growth nor technological innovation can stretch the existing supplies significantly; hence, it is imperative that demand side management techniques such as the use of water efficient fixtures in urban households, appropriate water tariff structure and regulatory policies are used as tools for water conservation. Conservation of water resources is one of the important aspects of ensuring sustainable development of cities and should incorporate environmental, social and economic dimensions.
This book highlights the importance of using water efficiently in urban households, in both developed and developing cities. Specifically, the book focuses on: the determinants of water conservation behaviour, including psychological factors such as values, beliefs and attitudes, socio-economic factors such as income, water pricing and policies, environmental factors such as seasonal variations and demographic factors such as household size and age; the role of policies such as mandatory water restrictions, labelling of water saving devices and promotion of public awareness; the role of water and wastewater tariff structures in achieving the goals of revenue generation, affordability, demand management and equity and the design of conservation oriented rate structures; and the role of water saving devices in providing technological solutions to household water conservation.
In relation to the above issues, the book provides several detailed case studies of cities to understand the effectiveness of such demand management tools and the lessons learnt. Overall, the book aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the various price and non-price tools that can be used to manage domestic water consumption. Water Conservation in Urban Households is a one-stop repository of information on water conservation for academics, practitioners and policy makers. The text can be used for teaching and research on water demand management as well as for professional reference by water utility officials. In addition, the appendix of the book contains a database of the current domestic water and wastewater tariffs and monthly bills of selected cities, which will be helpful for those willing to conduct research in this field.
Author: Sonia Ferdous Hoque, University of Leeds, UK.
Table of Contents
| Section Title | Page | Action | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cover\r | Cover | ||
| Contents | v | ||
| List of figures | ix | ||
| List of tables | xi | ||
| List of boxes | xiii | ||
| About the author | xv | ||
| Preface | xvii | ||
| Chapter 1:\rWater conservation: The answer to water shortage in the 21st century | 1 | ||
| 1.1 The Changing Water Paradigm\r | 1 | ||
| 1.2 Human Right To Water\r | 2 | ||
| 1.3 WATER AS AN ECONOMIC GOOD\r | 5 | ||
| 1.4 WATER USE EFFICIENCY\r | 8 | ||
| 1.5 THE BENEFITS OF WATER CONSERVATION\r | 14 | ||
| 1.5.1 Benefits to consumers | 14 | ||
| 1.5.2 Benefits to utilities | 14 | ||
| 1.5.3 Benefits to the environment | 17 | ||
| 1.5.4 Benefits to the economy | 18 | ||
| 1.6 WATER CONSUMPTION IN URBAN HOUSEHOLDS | 18 | ||
| 1.7 Conclusion\r | 22 | ||
| Endnotes | 23 | ||
| Chapter 2:\rDeterminants of domestic water consumption: Theories and observations | 25 | ||
| 2.1 Theories of Environmental Beliefs and Behaviours\r | 25 | ||
| 2.2 Determinants of Domestic Water Consumption\r | 27 | ||
| 2.2.1 Household income | 28 | ||
| 2.2.2 Household size and age composition | 31 | ||
| 2.2.3 Attitudes, social norms, and behaviour | 33 | ||
| 2.2.4 Water price | 35 | ||
| 2.2.5 Dwelling type and ownership | 36 | ||
| 2.2.6 Regulatory policies | 37 | ||
| 2.2.7 Technology | 38 | ||
| 2.2.8 Climatic variations | 39 | ||
| 2.3 Conclusion\r | 39 | ||
| Endnote | 40 | ||
| Chapter 3: Role of prices: Water tariffs\r | 41 | ||
| 3.1 Overview of Water and Wastewater Tariffs\r | 42 | ||
| 3.2 Analysis of Water and Wastewater Tariffs\r | 46 | ||
| 3.2.1 Two part tariff: fixed + volumetric charges\r | 47 | ||
| 3.2.2 Single part tariff: increasing block tariffs | 47 | ||
| 3.2.3 Single part tariff: constant unit charges | 49 | ||
| 3.2.4 Single part tariff: decreasing block tariffs | 49 | ||
| 3.2.5 Single part tariff: seasonal water pricing | 50 | ||
| 3.2.6 Additional tariff components: conservation taxes | 50 | ||
| 3.2.7 Income based measures: discounts or payment assistance | 52 | ||
| 3.2.8 Income based measures: subsidised network connections | 52 | ||
| 3.2.9 Unmetered flat tariff structure\r | 53 | ||
| 3.3 Objectives of Water Prici\rng | 55 | ||
| 3.3.1 Revenue sufficiency | 55 | ||
| 3.3.2 Affordability | 55 | ||
| 3.3.3 Equity | 58 | ||
| 3.3.4 Demand management | 59 | ||
| 3.4 Water Pricing As A Tool For Conservation\r | 61 | ||
| 3.4.1 Designing a conservation oriented rate structure | 61 | ||
| 3.4.2 Communication of the price signal through consumer billing | 64 | ||
| 3.5 Conclusion\r | 67 | ||
| Endnotes | 68 | ||
| Chapter 4:\rRole of policy: Regulations and conservation programs | 69 | ||
| 4.1 Restriction on Specific Water Use Activities\r | 69 | ||
| 4.1.1 Costs of restrictions | 76 | ||
| 4.1.1.1 Costs to households | 76 | ||
| 4.1.1.2 Costs to the community | 76 | ||
| 4.1.1.3 Costs to utilities and local governments | 77 | ||
| 4.1.2 Benefits of restrictions | 77 | ||
| 4.1.2.1 Reduction in water consumption | 77 | ||
| 4.1.2.2 Community support | 77 | ||
| 4.1.2.3 Environmental benefits | 78 | ||
| 4.1.3 Consumers’ willingness to pay to avoid restrictions | 78 | ||
| 4.2 Promotion of Wat er-Savi ng Devices\r | 79 | ||
| 4.3 Public Awareness Campaigns\r | 81 | ||
| 4.4 Conclusion\r | 88 | ||
| Chapter 5:\rRole of techonology: Water saving devices | 91 | ||
| 5.1 Overview of Water Saving Devices \r | 92 | ||
| 5.1.1 Toilets | 92 | ||
| 5.1.2 Shower heads | 94 | ||
| 5.1.3 Faucets | 95 | ||
| 5.1.4 Washing machines | 95 | ||
| 5.1.5 Urinals | 97 | ||
| 5.1.6 Dishwashers | 97 | ||
| 5.2 Adoption of Water Efficient Devices \r | 99 | ||
| 5.3 Water Efficiency Labelling\r | 103 | ||
| 5.4 Rebates To Promote Water Efficient Fixtures\r | 108 | ||
| 5.5 Conclusion\r | 109 | ||
| Chapter 6: Demand side management tools: Comparing price and non-price approaches\r | 111 | ||
| 6.1 Effect on Water Demand\r | 113 | ||
| 6.2 Cost -Effectiveness and Efficiency\r | 115 | ||
| 6.3 Equity and Distributional Effects\r | 116 | ||
| 6.4 Monitoring and Enforcement\r | 117 | ||
| 6.5 Political and Revenue Considerations\r | 117 | ||
| 6.6 Conclusion\r | 118 | ||
| References | 119 |