Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Water Resources Research

Volume

43

Issue

W07425

Publisher

American Geophysical Union

Publication Date

2007

Abstract

We apply systems analysis to estimate household water use in an intermittent supply system considering numerous interdependent water user behaviors. Some 39 household actions include conservation; improving local storage or water quality; and accessing sources having variable costs, availabilities, reliabilities, and qualities. A stochastic optimization program with recourse decisions identifies the infrastructure investments and short-term coping actions a customer can adopt to cost-effectively respond to a probability distribution of piped water availability. Monte Carlo simulations show effects for a population of customers. Model calibration reproduces the distribution of billed residential water use in Amman, Jordan. Parametric analyses suggest economic and demand responses to increased availability and alternative pricing. It also suggests potential market penetration for conservation actions, associated water savings, and subsidies to entice further adoption. We discuss new insights to size, target, and finance conservation.

Comments

Originally published by the American Geophysical Union. Publisher's PDF and HTML fulltext can be accessed through Water Resources Research.
Note: David Rosenberg was affiliated with the University of California - Davis at time of publication.

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