Effect of Commodity Charges on the Demand for Reclaimed Water.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Effect of Commodity Charges on the Demand for Reclaimed Water.
Authors:	KNIGHT, SCOTT L.¹ ScottLKnight@gmail.com, MORALES, MIGUEL A.¹, HEANEY, JAMES P.¹
Source:	Journal: American Water Works Association. Nov2015, Vol. 107 Issue 11, pE582-E593. 12p. 1 Chart, 7 Graphs.
Subjects:	Water purification, Primary commodities, Drinking water, Water demand management, Water conservation, Management, Prices
Abstract:	Residential irrigation with reclaimed water is one method to reduce potable water withdrawals in the United States. However, little research has examined how customers use this often low-cost or free water. This study evaluates the change in water use for 510 reclaimed water customers who were converted from a flat rate to a commodity charge. Using actual water use data and an irrigation model, two metrics of efficiency were developed: portion of landscape needs satisfied and efficiency of application. After the commodity charge began, the reclaimed water customers decreased their use by 47% and improved the efficiency of their application by 12%. However, annually, between 14 and 27% of the users increased use compared with the flat-rate period. The impact of irrigable area was also evaluated and showed that customers with smaller irrigable areas were less efficient (26%) than those with larger irrigable areas (52%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Engineering Source

Description
Abstract:	Residential irrigation with reclaimed water is one method to reduce potable water withdrawals in the United States. However, little research has examined how customers use this often low-cost or free water. This study evaluates the change in water use for 510 reclaimed water customers who were converted from a flat rate to a commodity charge. Using actual water use data and an irrigation model, two metrics of efficiency were developed: portion of landscape needs satisfied and efficiency of application. After the commodity charge began, the reclaimed water customers decreased their use by 47% and improved the efficiency of their application by 12%. However, annually, between 14 and 27% of the users increased use compared with the flat-rate period. The impact of irrigable area was also evaluated and showed that customers with smaller irrigable areas were less efficient (26%) than those with larger irrigable areas (52%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	0003150X
DOI:	10.5942/jawwa.2015.107.0131