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How do variations in Urban Heat Islands in space and time influence household water use? The case of Phoenix, Arizona
Author(s) -
Aggarwal Rimjhim M.,
Guhathakurta Subhrajit,
GrossmanClarke Susanne,
Lathey Vasudha
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/2011wr010924
Subject(s) - phoenix , urban heat island , water consumption , urbanization , environmental science , mesoscale meteorology , census tract , census , consumption (sociology) , climatology , geography , meteorology , physical geography , hydrology (agriculture) , water resource management , geology , demography , metropolitan area , geotechnical engineering , archaeology , population , social science , sociology , economic growth , economics
This paper explores how urbanization, through its role in the evolution of Urban Heat Island (UHI), affects residential water consumption. Using longitudinal data and drawing on a mesoscale atmospheric model, we examine how variations in surface temperature at the census tract level have affected water use in single family residences in Phoenix, Arizona. Results show that each Fahrenheit rise in nighttime temperature increases water consumption by 1.4%. This temperature effect is found to vary significantly with lot size and pool size. The study provides insights into the links between urban form and water use, through the dynamics of UHI.