An Economic Investigation of Urban Water Demand in the U.S.

Abstract

What is the price of publicly supplied water and how is it changing in American cities? What is the demand for water in important American sectors? These are the questions addressed in the following report. A broad survey of water providers in cities acreoss the U.S. reveals a variety of rate mechanisms and price levels for water and sewer provision. The survey covers the horizon 195 to 2005 in monthly time steps. Because water is used for both human and productive demands, prices for residential and commercial users are surveyed. Industrial processes are sufficiently distinct from other forms of commerce to merit treatmeant as a third sector.