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Determinants of Residential Water Consumption: Evidence and Analysis from a Ten-country Household Survey

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  • R. Quentin Grafton
  • Michael B. Ward
  • Hang To
  • Tom Kompas

Abstract

[1] Household survey data for ten countries are used to quantify and test the importance of price and non-price factors on residential water demand and investigate complementarities between household water-saving behaviors and the average volumetric price of water. Results show: (1) the average volumetric price of water is an important predictor of differences in residential consumption in models that include household characteristics, water-saving devices, attitudinal characteristics and environmental concerns as explanatory variables; (2) of all water-saving devices, only a low volume/dual-flush toilet has a statistically significant and negative effect on water consumption; and(3) environmental concerns have a statistically significant effect on some self-reported water-saving behaviors. While price-based approaches are espoused to promote economic efficiency, our findings stress that volumetric water pricing is also one of the most effective policy levers available to regulate household water consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • R. Quentin Grafton & Michael B. Ward & Hang To & Tom Kompas, 2011. "Determinants of Residential Water Consumption: Evidence and Analysis from a Ten-country Household Survey," Crawford School Research Papers 1114, Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University.
    • Handle: RePEc:een:crwfrp:1114
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    causality; energy; economic growth;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • Q25 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Water
    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General

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