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A global survey of urban water tariffs: are they sustainable, efficient and fair?

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  • David Zetland
  • Christopher Gasson

Abstract

This paper examines the relations between tariffs and sustainability, efficiency and equity, using a unique data-set for 308 cities in 102 countries. Higher water tariffs are correlated with lower per capita consumption, smaller local populations, lower water availability, higher demand and a lower risk of shortage. Aggregating to the national level, higher tariffs are correlated with higher GDP and better governance. A different country-level analysis shows that a higher percentage of the population with water service is correlated with better governance, higher GDP and a greater risk of water shortage. The relation between water prices and service coverage is statistically inconsistent.

Suggested Citation

  • David Zetland & Christopher Gasson, 2013. "A global survey of urban water tariffs: are they sustainable, efficient and fair?," International Journal of Water Resources Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(3), pages 327-342, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:cijwxx:v:29:y:2013:i:3:p:327-342
    DOI: 10.1080/07900627.2012.721672
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    Cited by:

    1. Lejla H Pihljak & Maria Rusca & Cecilia Alda-Vidal & Klaas Schwartz, 2021. "Everyday practices in the production of uneven water pricing regimes in Lilongwe, Malawi," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 39(2), pages 300-317, March.
    2. Neil S. Grigg, 2016. "The business of water in a changing world: organizations, connectors and support sector," International Journal of Water Resources Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(5), pages 708-720, September.
    3. Marcos García-López & Borja Montano & Joaquín Melgarejo, 2020. "Water Pricing Policy as Tool to Induce Efficiency in Water Resources Management," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-19, May.
    4. Romano, Giulia & Molinos-Senante, María & Guerrini, Andrea, 2017. "Water utility efficiency assessment in Italy by accounting for service quality: An empirical investigation," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 97-108.
    5. Pérez-Urdiales, María & Baerenklau, Kenneth A., 2019. "Learning to live within your (water) budget: Evidence from allocation-based rates," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 205-221.
    6. Jordi Honey-Rosés & Claudio Pareja, 2019. "Metrics and Methods for Comparing Water Utility Rate Structures," Water Economics and Policy (WEP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 5(02), pages 1-31, April.
    7. García-López, Marcos & Montano, Borja & Melgarejo, Joaquín, 2022. "Alternative tariff structures and household composition: Evidence from Spain's Valencia region," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    8. Maria F. Reyes, 2021. "Implications of Water Tariff Structures on Water Demand in Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos Archipelago)," International Journal of Economics and Financial Research, Academic Research Publishing Group, vol. 7(3), pages 132-142, 09-2021.
    9. Marcos García-López & Joaquín Melgarejo & Borja Montano, 2021. "The Financing of Wastewater Treatment and the Balance of Payments for Water Services: Evidence from Municipalities in the Region of Valencia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-15, May.
    10. Pinto, Francisco Silva & Marques, Rui Cuhna, 2015. "Tariff recommendations: A Panacea for the Portuguese water sector?," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 36-44.
    11. Norbert Brunner & Vijay Mishra & Ponnusamy Sakthivel & Markus Starkl & Christof Tschohl, 2015. "The Human Right to Water in Law and Implementation," Laws, MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-59, August.
    12. Zhang, Xue & Rivas, Marcela Gonzalez & Grant, Mary & Warner, Mildred E., 2021. "Water Pricing and Affordability in the US: Public vs Private Ownership," SocArXiv 7mc4r, Center for Open Science.
    13. Barbosa, Alexandro & Brusca, Isabel, 2015. "Governance structures and their impact on tariff levels of Brazilian water and sanitation corporations," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 94-105.

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