Water affordability issues in developed countries – The relevance of micro approaches

Rita Martins, Carlota Quintal, Luís Cruz and Eduardo Barata

Utilities Policy, 2016, vol. 43, issue PA, 117-123

Abstract: In developed countries, water affordability issues are regarded as a non-significant problem. This paper analyses the prevalence of affordability problems at household level and the determinants that might affect their occurrence. From a questionnaire-based survey, Portuguese household level data are used to show that average measures can mask affordability issues for substantial proportions of the low income groups. Findings also indicate that to tackle affordability problems more successfully, special tariff schemes should consider household income, size (large families) and composition (children in poorer households).

Keywords: Water affordability; Economic regulation; Micro data (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L95 Q25 R20 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:juipol:v:43:y:2016:i:pa:p:117-123

DOI: 10.1016/j.jup.2016.04.012

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