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Science Geography

Residential Water Demand

Alternative Choices for Management

by (author) Angelo P. Grima

Publisher
University of Toronto Press
Initial publish date
Dec 1972
Category
Geography, General, Ecology
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781487597931
    Publish Date
    Dec 1972
    List Price
    $27.95

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Description

This detailed study of the use of water at different price levels by residential consumers in the Toronto-centred region from Hamilton to Oshawa challenges the basis of our present urban water supply policy. Adoption of the recommendations presented would mean higher prices to householders, but a considerable saving of hundreds of millions of tax dollars over the next three decades. The present policy uses a 'requirement approach' in which future water needs are calculated by extrapolation of past trends and an assumption that demand is inelastic. This leads to excessive levels of water use and over-investment in water supply, sewage collection, and treatment systems. The resultant misallocation of resources can be corrected by adoption of a demand/management approach in which investment policy is guided by consumer demand and alternative pricing arrangements are used as a management tool. Dr. Grima examines several alternative choices for management, such as metering, increasing marginal prices, sewerage charges, seasonal charges, and an increasing price block schedule, and describes the results of each. Water managers in Canada are strongly challenged to begin a fundamental rethinking of their basic policies. (Department of Geography Research Publication 7)

About the author

Angelo P. Grima is a professor of Geography.

Angelo P. Grima's profile page