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HOUSEHOLD WATER USE: TECHNOLOGICAL SHIFTS AND CONSERVATION IMPLICATIONS 1
Author(s) -
Clouser Rodney L.,
Miller William L.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1980.tb03897.x
Subject(s) - subsidy , water use , water conservation , per capita , consumption (sociology) , business , natural resource economics , water supply , water storage , water consumption , lawn , agricultural economics , environmental science , water resources , water resource management , economics , environmental engineering , engineering , ecology , mechanical engineering , population , social science , demography , sociology , market economy , inlet , biology
A study was undertaken to determine the effect of water intensive appliances or activities on household water consumption. Activities included in the study were use of the washing machine, dishwasher, swimming pool, and lawn watering. In the majority of cases these activities increased per capita consumption and were statistically significant. Households included in the study were not familiar with water saving devices available in the retail market. Even if tehse appliances were purchased, private economic benefits to the household would be low due to the inexpensive water charges levied. However, aggregate community benefits could be large if new well drilling cost or increase in storage facilities could be avoided. In order to avoid these increased costs, regulation or subsidy programs may be the most efficient policy alternatives available to the communities. Subsidies and regulation could potentially decrease water use and offer alternatives to increasing the water supply.