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Showing papers on "Water supply published in 1996"


Journal ArticleDOI
Steven A. Esrey1
TL;DR: Findings suggest that public health intervention should balance epidemiologic data with the cost of services and the demand for water, and there should be efforts to develop compatible technologies so that incremental improvements in service can be made.
Abstract: Data collected in the late 1980s from eight countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (Burundi, Ghana, Togo, and Uganda), Asia/North Africa (Sri Lanka and Morocco), and the Americas (Bolivia and Guatemala) were combined and analyzed to test whether incremental health effects regarding diarrhea and nutritional status result from incremental improvements in water and sanitation conditions. Rural (n = 11,992) and urban (n = 4,888) samples were analyzed separately. Optimal (i.e., on the premises) and intermediate (improved public water) water supplies were compared with unimproved water conditions. Optimal (flush toilets or water-seal-latrines) and intermediate (latrines) sanitation levels were compared with unimproved sanitation. Nationally representative (random) samples of ever-married women age 15-49 years, with or without children, were interviewed in all countries, and children aged 3-36 months with available weight and height data were included in the analyses. Multiple linear regression controlled for household, maternal, and child-level variables; in addition, dummy variables were included for each country. Improvements in sanitation resulted in less diarrhea and in taller and heavier children with each of the three levels of water supply. Incremental benefits in sanitation were associated with less diarrhea and with additional increases in the weights and heights of children. The effects of improved sanitation were greater among urban dwellers than among rural dwellers. Health benefits from improved water were less pronounced than those for sanitation. Benefits from improved water occurred only when sanitation was improved and only when optimal water was present. These findings suggest that public health intervention should balance epidemiologic data with the cost of services and the demand for water. There should be efforts to develop compatible technologies so that incremental improvements in service can be made.

471 citations


Book
01 Jan 1996
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluated the public health significance of biofilm in water supply, and proposed a verification strategy for water quality in water distribution systems. But, they did not discuss the effectiveness of this strategy in water quality monitoring.
Abstract: Characterizing the Distribution System: Microbial Issues Distribution System Habitats Distribution Water Temperature Trends Water Supply Transient Time Operational Factors Joint Responsibility for Water Quality Creating Microbial Quality in Drinking Water Raw Source Microbial Composition Microbial Control through Treatment Water Supply Storage and Distribution Building Plumbing Networks Attachment Devices Biological Profiles in Drinking Water Primary Microbial Groups Free-Living Amoeba and Macroinvertebrates: Protectors and Amplifiers of Bacteria Opportunistic Organisms and the Water Supply Connection Biofilms in Water Distribution Systems Characterizing Biofilm Nutrients: A Case for Biological Instability of Water Supply Water Temperature Stimulation Physical Status of Pipe Sediments Scenarios for Undetected Coliform Passages Evaluating the Public Health Significance of Biofilm Characterizing Microbial Quality in Water Supply Introduction Heterotrophic Bacteria Coliform Detection Substitute Criteria: A Word of Caution Nuisance Organisms Infrastructure Construction Acceptance Laboratory Credibility through Certification Monitoring Strategies to Characterize Water Quality Introduction Evaluating the Strategy Sample Collection and Sample Stability in Transit Special Considerations - Small Systems Networks Large System Characteristics Consolidated Systems Coliform Occurrences in Compliance Monitoring Special Purpose Monitoring Microbial Breakthroughs in Changing Source, Treatment, or Supply Parameters Introduction Factoring Source Water Characteristics Plant Operating Practices Treatment Modifications Disinfection Alternatives Impacts on Distribution Water Quality Waterborne Pathogen Invasions: A Case for Water Quality Protection in Distribution Characterizing Freshwater Quality Waterborne Pathogenic Agents Utilizing Multiple Barriers to Pathogen Passage Waterborne Pathogen Invasions: Case History Examples Pathogen Search in Waterborne Outbreaks In Retrospect - Municipal Sewage Collection Systems Stormwater Runoff Non-Metered Service Unaccounted Water Losses Water Storage Tank Structures System Flushing Distribution Residuals Water Pressure Responses to Microbial Quality Changes in Water Supply Distribution Laboratory Assistance Initial Action Responses Persistent Non-Compliance Response Sanitary Survey Approach Searching for Risks in Water Supply In Retrospect Public Awareness of Water Quality Problems Public Perception of Health Risks in Water Supply Mass Media and Public Awareness A Study of Media Attention to Technical Reality Public Relations Programs Public Awareness: What Have We Learned? Appendix: Field Investigation Check List Index

287 citations


Book
01 Sep 1996
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a sketch of the conceptual framework for non-market valuation of water and the assumptions and procedures for implementing various methods which have been developed for estimating water-related economic benefits.
Abstract: This monograph reviews, assesses and describes the operational use of the concepts and methods for estimating economic benefits of investment and allocation decisions involving water. The main focus of the report is on valuation of changes in water supply although attention is also given to measuring benefits of increased reliability of water supply and to improved water quality. The initial chapters introduce the subject and present a sketch of the conceptual framework for non-market valuation of water. Next is a chapter which introduces the assumptions and procedures for implementing the various methods which have been developed for estimating water-related economic benefits. The remaining chapters discuss the application of the various valuation methods to intermediate goods, private consumer goods and public goods.

149 citations


Book
01 Apr 1996
TL;DR: Water Resources: An Introduciton.Water Economics.Water Resources in the United States: Water Resources: Planning and Financing for Water Resources in United States.Water Law.Priciples of Flow of Water.
Abstract: Part I: Principles for Water Resources.Water Resources: An Introduciton.Priciples of Flow of Water.Water Economics.Principles of Planning and Financing for Water Resources in the United States.Water Law.Systems Analysis.Uncertainty and Reliability Analysis.Part II: Water Resource Quality (Natural Systems) Water Quality.Lakes and Reservoirs.Rivers and Streams.Groundwater.Estuaries.Wetlands.Computer Models for Water-Quality Analysis.Part III: Water REsources Supply Systems.Surface Water Resource Systems.Groundwater Systems.Water Treatment Systems.Water Distribution.Wastewater-collection Systems.Wastewater Treatment.Water Reclamation and Reuse.Irrigation Systems.Water Demand Analysis.Part IV: Water Resources Excess Management.Hydrology for Water-Excess Management.Hydraulics for Excess Water Management.Urban Stormwater Management.Federal Perspective for Flood-Damage-Reduction Studies.Computer Models for Water-Excess Management.Part V: Water Resources for the Future.Global Climate Change: Effect on Hydrologic Cycle.Ecological Effects of Global climate Change on Freshwater Ecosystems with Emphasis on Streams and Rivers.Energy and Water.Water-Use Management: Permit and Water-Transfer Systems.Decision support Systems (DDS) for Water-Resources Management.

140 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A review of US outbreaks describes characteristics of the raw water supply, suspected sources of contamination, water treatment methods, and corrective actions as discussed by the authors, showing that the majority of affected individuals were served by treatment plants using coagulant addition, filtration, and chlorine disinfection processes.
Abstract: Drinking water has been implicated as the mode of transmission in several outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis throughout the United States. This review of US outbreaks describes characteristics of the raw water supply, suspected sources of contamination, water treatment methods, and corrective actions. Of the total number of outbreaks, roughly half were associated with groundwater sources; the majority of affected individuals, however, were served by drinking water drawn from surface water. Wastewater was implicated as the source of contamination of raw or treated water for roughly half of the outbreaks. Nonpoint sources, such as agricultural runoff, were suspected sources of contamination in the remaining outbreaks. The majority of affected individuals were served by treatment plants using coagulant addition, filtration, and chlorine disinfection processes. Although treatment deficiencies and suboptimal operational practices were noted during some of the outbreaks, all treatment plants were complying with federal and local regulations. Existing regulations and water supply systems, especially those utilizing surface water sources, should be reevaluated.

137 citations


Book
01 Apr 1996
TL;DR: A comprehensive framework for water management is presented in this article, which includes water management principles, management in the water industry, planning and decision-making processes, and water infrastructure and systems analysis, models and decision support systems.
Abstract: Part I: Water Management Principles: Management in the Water Industry.Hydrology and the Water Environment.Water Infrastructure and Systems.Planning and Decision-Making Processes.Systems Analysis, Models, and Decision Support Systems.Water and Environmental Law, Regulation, and Administration.Financial Planning and Management.Water Industry Structure.A Comprehensive Framework for Water Management.Part II: Problemsheds of Water Management: Case Studies.Water Supply and Environment: Denver Water's Two Forks Project.Flood Control, Floodplain Management, and Stormwater Management.Planning and Managing Water Infrastructure.Reservoir Operations and Management.Water Quality Management and Nonpoint Source Control.Water Administration: Allocation, Control, Transfers, and Compacts.Watersheds and Riverine Systems.Water Use Conservation and Efficiency.Groundwater Management.River Basin Planning and Coordination.Drought and Water Supply Management.Regionalization in Water Management.Water Management in Estuaries and Coastal Waters.Organization of Water Agencies.Water Management in the Western United States.Water Supply and Sanitation in Developing Countries.

132 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors use flow traces obtained from residential customer water meters that are fitted with portable data loggers to identify signatures associated with all major water use categories and assess how conservation measures influence water demand.
Abstract: Precise information about water use patterns can be gathered by analyzing flow traces obtained from residential customer water meters that are fitted with portable data loggers. Flow traces are precise enough that signatures associated with all major water use categories can be identified. For this study, more than 10,000 water use events were recorded, classified, and entered into a database. The technique is both accurate and reliable and can be used to collect time-specific and disaggregated water use data. Measuring directly instead of inferring measurements from aggregated data is a quick and cost-effective way to analyze water use patterns and directly assess how conservation measures influence water demand.

120 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the status of national policies on wastewater treatment, wastewater reuse characteristics, and some wastewater reuse experiences are presented, with special reference to application for toilet-flushing in high-rise business buildings and stream restoration and flow augmentation.

116 citations


Book
01 Aug 1996
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed an integrated, cross-sectoral, catchment area approach to water resources management in sub-Saharan Africa, based on the principle that water is a scarce good with dimensions of economic efficiency, social equity, and environmental sustainability.
Abstract: Water resources in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have become a strategic commodity, with supply limited in terms of quantity and quality, and demand increasing due to population growth and economic development. The strategy developed in this document is based on the principle that water is a scarce good with dimensions of economic efficiency, social equity, and environmental sustainability. The strategy recommends an integrated, cross-sectoral, catchment area approach to water resources management in African countries. The approach builds upon African commitment and strengths, and recommends key strategic interventions for African consideration. Based on an analysis of the current status and emerging trends in SSA's water resources, five development imperatives are identified: household water security, catchment area and wetland protection, food security, water quality and human health, and intra-national and international conflict resolution. An assessment is made of the rich collection of strengths, achievements and opportunities in the region.

110 citations


Book
29 Feb 1996
TL;DR: Water demand analyses and forecasts in the absence of climate change: past and present demands for water in England and Wales climate factors and the demand for water the behaviour of peak demands public water suppply forecast - methods and practice direct abstractions forecasts - methods, practice and practice as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Part 1 Water demand analyses and forecasts in the absence of climate change: past and present demands for water in England and Wales climate factors and the demand for water the behaviour of peak demands public water suppply forecast - methods and practice direct abstractions forecasts - methods and practice. Part 2 New public water supply analyses: Thames Water London supply area - monthly public water supply variations Cambridge Water Company - peak seven day and annual average demands Lee Valley Water Company - week-to-week public water supply variations Southern Water - putting peak seven day equations to the test. Part 3 Demand forecasts incorporating climate change: public water supplies - the econometric approach domestic demands - the micro-components approach industrial and commercial PWS demands with climate change demands for direct abstractions with climate change.

103 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are an effective tool for storing, managing, and displaying spatial data often encountered in water resources management as discussed by the authors, which has made the use of advanced technologies indispensable.
Abstract: Increasing public awareness, stricter measures and promulgation of new laws in the area of water resources have made the use of advanced technologies indispensable. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are an effective tool for storing, managing, and displaying spatial data often encountered in water resources management. The application of GIS in water resources is constantly on the rise. In order to stress the importance of GIS in water resources management, applications related to this area are addressed and evaluated for efficient future research and development. Fundamentals of GIS are summarized and the history of the GIS evolution in water resources is discussed. Current GIS applications are presented including surface hydrologic and groundwater modeling, water supply and sewer system modeling, stormwater and nonpoint source pollution modeling for urban and agricultural areas, and other related applications. Future research and development needs are presented, based on these reviews.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed a flexible multiobjective optimization model to meet the need for planning level tools for instream flow determination, considering both the size and frequency of water supply shortages and the habitat available for fish species as the fish progress through life stages.
Abstract: The relicensing of nonfederal hydropower projects and the mandated reevaluation of federal water projects require policy makers to balance the human use of water with instream releases for environmental values. To meet the need for planning level tools for instream flow determination, we develop a flexible multiobjective optimization model. The model considers both the size and frequency of water supply shortages and the habitat available for fish species as the fish progress through life stages. We use a habitat capacity metric to combine expected mortality, the fraction of a life stage in a particular month, and the areal habitat needs per individual fish. The model incorporates human water supply concerns such as monthly variations in human water demand, water-year types, and flood control restrictions. We apply this monthly optimization model to a west-slope Sierra Nevada stream used for municipal and agricultural supply and for supporting an anadromous fish population. Results identified a range of a...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the status of selected water-rich and water-poor countries with respect to renewable fresh water resources in order to delineate the scale of the problem is discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: There are limits to urbanization, which the city is approaching rapidly, and the author concludes that the city survives by importing food, energy, wood, water, building materials, and other products.
Abstract: This article describes the poor environmental and living conditions in Mexico City due to its huge size. Mexico Citys size is a challenge to sustainability and the outcome is unknown. Mexico City and the geographic basin surrounding it included about 18.5 million population in 1995. The basin and surrounding volcanic ranges include nine major environmental zones. Urban growth followed four stages. Different cultures applied different solutions to water supply problems. The basin shifted from self-sufficiency to reliance on 31% of supplies from external watersheds. The water table is declining and canals are polluted. Irrigated agriculture is disappearing. There is an average water deficit of over 800 million cubic meters per year. Mexico City is actually sinking due to groundwater exploitation. There is bacterial contamination of wells due to improper seals. About 75% of the population has access to wastewater treatment and sanitation but sewage treatment plants operate at under 50% efficiency and treat only about 7% of the total wastewater. Atmospheric pollution from suspended particles has been a problem for decades. Ozone was the most significant air contaminant in 1994. Lead was the most harmful pollutant in 1986. Air pollutants may be the source of submucosal inflammations. Industrial areas are contaminated with suspended particles and sulfur dioxide. High traffic areas have high carbon monoxide levels. Atmospheric pollution has affected the quality of the rainwater. The city survives by importing food energy wood water building materials and other products. The development model aims to improve quality of life. The city has been the center of political power since Aztec times and its preeminent position forces government action. The author concludes that there are limits to urbanization which the city is approaching rapidly.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It has been proven that it is economically, technically and socially feasible to assure microbiologically safe water for the world's population that is threatened by waterborne diseases.
Abstract: A very large segment of the world's population is without a microbiologically safe water supply. It is estimated that in Latin America more than 40% of the population is utilizing water of dubious quality for human consumption. This figure is probably even higher in Africa and areas of southeast Asia. Water used for drinking and food preparation can be an important route of transmission for many of the most widespread and debilitating of the diseases that afflict humans. The cholera pandemic which struck Latin America in January 1991, and has become endemic in many of the countries, continues to exemplify the public health significance of contaminated drinking water. Ideally, this neglected segment of the world's population should be served with piped water systems that provide a continuous supply of microbiologically safe water, but this would require such enormous investments of financial and human resources that it is not reasonable to expect that it will be accomplished. Interim practical measures to assure microbiologically safe water are necessary. The public health intervention to accomplish this is described in this paper and has an annual per family cost of which ranges between $1.50 and $4. It consists of providing individual households with one or preferably two suitable water containers in which to disinfect and store the essential quantities of water that need to be free of pathogens, with the containers of a design that will preclude recontamination of the contents and enable the production and distribution of the water disinfectants to be managed at the local level. It includes the necessary component of public education, promotion and involvement to establish the sustainability of the measures as a community-based endeavor. Investigation and demonstration projects are being carried out in II countries to determine and perfect and appropriate intervention, and it has been proven that it is economically, technically and socially feasible to assure microbiologically safe water for the world's population that is threatened by waterborne diseases. Carefully controlled microbiological analysis of the untreated and treated water shows that waterborne pathogens can be destroyed or inactivated, and carefully controlled epidemiological studies being carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that this intervention achieves considerable reduction in the incidence of water borne disease. It is recommended that all developing countries initiate programs to replicate the health measure described in this paper in order to test its validity and to adapt it to their local conditions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors carried out a pilot plant study and field study of several desalination plants for the public water supply and found that most of the constituents of R.O. filtrate meets the drinking water quality standard under the design and operational condition that to attain 99% of the salt rejection.

Posted Content
TL;DR: In this paper, technical and social science staff involved in planning and implementation of water and sanitation facilities for the poor are referred to as technical experts, and their methods have application across sectors.
Abstract: This document is intended to be used by technical and social science staff involved in planning and implementation of water and sanitation facilities for the poor. It may also be useful to social science researchers applying their craft to the low cost water supply and sanitation sector. With adaptation, the methods have application across sectors.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Analyses of water from wide-diameter open wells were carried out in two districts of Conakry (Republic of Guinea) during the dry season of 1994 (April-May) to evaluate its bacteriological and physico-chemical quality and to compare well water to the piped city water as discussed by the authors.

01 Nov 1996
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present proceedings and contributed papers from a workshop held to determine the present water supply situation in Africa and the Middle East and to gain a better understanding of the opinions and priorities that should be taken into consideration when setting strategies for sustainable water management.
Abstract: This publication presents proceedings and contributed papers from a workshop held to determine the present water supply situation in Africa and the Middle East and to gain a better understanding of the opinions and priorities that should be taken into consideration when setting strategies for sustainable water management. The first three papers are overviews of key water issues: Demand-side management, conservation, and efficiency; allocation of water resources; the roles of women and men in water resource management in Africa. These are followed by eleven contributions on water management in various sub-regions of Africa and the Middle East.

01 Jan 1996
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the extent and severity of the UK's spring and summer drought from a water resources perspective, within the context of the unusual climatic conditions which have characterized much of the last 20 years.
Abstract: Drought conditions in the UK produced considerable water supply stress during 1995 and attracted substantial public, political and scientific interest. In this paper the drought's extent and severity throughout he spring and summer period is examined from a water resources perspective, within the context of the unusual climatic conditions which have characterized much of the last 20 years. The last tow decades have seen both an exaggeration in the north-west to south-east rainfall gradient across Britain and a more distinct partitioning of annual rainfall totals between the winter and summer half-year. In addition, most of the recent past has been remarkably mild, encouraging exceptionally high rates of evaporation. These tendencies, which show a broad consistency with a number of favoured climate change scenarios, have raised questions regarding the resilience of existing water resource management strategies. In the context of historical rainfall and temperature records, the level of risk adopted by the water industry is shown to be of the right order. However, recent patterns of rainfall, evaporative losses and peak water demands suggest the type of water supply stress experienced during 1995 may now be occurring with a greater frequency. The recent clustering of hot, dry summers -together with the associated surge in water demand- implies that the water industry should direct more attention to contingency planning based on substantially lower return periods than those reported for drought events over the last 20 years.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a photovoltaic water pump (PVP) was introduced to the users through an appropriate community participation concept, which achieved a high level of acceptance by the users, as evidenced by their willingness to pay for the consumed water.

Book ChapterDOI
Christine Kessides1
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors summarized some of the economic benefits from infrastructure in the context of developing countries, and considered the necessary conditions for these benefits to be realized, and defined infrastructure as the long-lived engineered structures, equipment, and facilities, and the services they provide, that are used both in economic production and by households.
Abstract: This chapter summarizes some of the economic benefits from infrastructure in the context of developing countries, and considers the necessary conditions for these benefits to be realized. Infrastructure is defined here as the long-lived engineered structures, equipment, and facilities, and the services they provide, that are used both in economic production and by households. This grouping of “economic” infrastructure comprises public utilities (electric power, piped gas and heating, telecommunications, water supply, liquid and solid waste disposal), public works (major dam and canal works for irrigation, as well as roads), and other transport sectors (railways, urban transport, ports and waterways, and airports).

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the potential impacts of climate change on hydrological system and water resources, four river basins have been selected in the territory of the Czech Republic: the Elbe River at Decin (50761.7 km2), the Zelivka River at Soutice (1188.6 km 2), the Upa River at Ceska Skalice (460.7km 2), and the Metuje River at Marsov n. M. (93.9 km 2).
Abstract: The Czech Republic has a northern hemisphere Atlantic-continental type of moderate climate. Mean annual temperature ranges between 1.0 and 9.4 °C (between 8.8 and 18.5 °C in summer and between –6.8 and 0.2 °C in winter). Annual precipitation ranges between 450 mm in dry regions and 1300 mm in mountainous regions of the country. With its 2000 m3 per capita fresh water availability, the Czech Republic is slightly below average. Occasional water shortages do not usually result from general unavailability of water resources but rather from time or space variability of water supply/demand and high degree of water resources exploitation. To study potential impacts of climate change on hydrological system and water resources, four river basins have been selected in the territory of the Czech Republic: the Elbe River at Decin (50761.7 km2), the Zelivka River at Soutice (1188.6 km2), the Upa River at Ceska Skalice (460.7 km2) and the Metuje River at Marsov n. M. (93.9 km2). To simulate potential changes in runoff, three hydrological models have been applied using incremental and GCM (GISS, GFDL and CCCM) scenarios: the BILAN water balance model, the SACRAMENTO (SAC-SMA) conceptual model and the CLIRUN water balance model. The paper reviews methods applied in the study, results of the assessments and concludes with suggestions for possible general adaptation policy options where the preference is for nonstructural measures such as water conservation, efficient water demand management and protection of water resources.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The water allocation conflict in the Upper Rio Grande basin is a multiobjective decision problem with multiple decision makers as mentioned in this paper, and the problem is analyzed by two Multicriterion Decision Making (MCDM) techniques.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, water quality data for eleven production wells in the Gwelup water supply wellfield near Perth in Western Australia have been analysed for a period from 1974 to the present.
Abstract: Groundwater quality data for eleven production wells in the Gwelup water supply wellfield near Perth in Western Australia have been analysed for a period from 1974 to the present. Over this time, a variety of landuse changes have taken place as the area developed from natural bushland to its present mainly urban situation. Groundwater quality in production wells has been affected by increasing nitrate and incidences of contamination by volatile organic compounds (VOC's) derived from urban and industrial developments. Nitrate concentrations downgradient of older unsewered urban areas already exceed the drinking water standard of 10 mg/l in production wells and two wells have been closed because of contamination by VOC's, and because of proximity to a nearby petrol tank leakage. The study highlights problems from diffuse sources of nitrate in urban areas. VOC's are more problematic and there is a need to monitor these in groundwater used for drinking supplies on a regular basis, given the wide variety of sources of these throughout the urban area and the impossibility of monitoring each of these.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In Mexico, a new water law was passed in 1992 that shifted from state-managed water policy to a regulated market-oriented water policy with tradable water rights as discussed by the authors, and water trading was initially closely supervised by government agencies, but the law included a number of provisions that will allow liberalization of water markets as water users become more involved in operation and management of water and gain experience in water trading.
Abstract: Mexico passed a new water law in 1992 that shifted from state-managed water policy to a regulated market-oriented policy with tradable water rights. Water trading will initially be closely supervised by government agencies, but the law includes a number of provisions that will allow liberalization of water markets as water users become more involved in operation and management of water and gain experience in water trading. Incentives for the Mexican water policy reforms include the growing economic value of increasingly scarce water; the rising budgetary costs from highly subsidized capital development and operations and maintenance for irrigation and water supply systems; and general liberalization of the Mexican economy, which has raised the cost of maintaining relatively inflexible water allocation systems that cannot respond to changing incentives.

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 1996
TL;DR: In this paper, a comprehensive study conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on 10 separate river basins and municipal water supply systems in the United States found no direct linear correlation was found between hydrologic response sensitivity and water management vulnerability; the effects on water resources will depend on the ability of agencies and institutions to address contemporary water resources problems.
Abstract: Water resources managers have historically led efforts to respond to natural climate variability, shifts in population and resultant demands, and changes in public preferences that influence the value and uses of water. Therefore, the potentially serious effects of climate change (both floods and droughts) forecast by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the General Circulation Models are not expected to result in similar adverse consequences for water resources or management, even in the semi-arid areas of the United States. This conclusion is based on a comprehensive study conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on 10 separate river basins and municipal water supply systems in the United States. No direct linear correlation was found between hydrologic response sensitivity and water management vulnerability; the effects on water resources will depend on the ability of agencies and institutions to address contemporary water resources problems.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the results of a one year sequence of weekly samples in the water supply of a relatively high-quality water system in the Northwest United States were reported, indicating that at least for high quality water, the theoretical minimum variability can be attained.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A case study of a tourist development, in which demand side management measures were extensively utilized, is presented in this paper, where the authors show that water may, for various reasons, be in relatively short supply.
Abstract: Management of water supply in Britain is increasingly facing up to the problems posed by supply-led strategies. Although the eradication of water stress has traditionally been viewed as a techno-managerial problem, with supply being increased to meet rising demand, this is no longer possible as a general solution. Pressures both from government and from voluntary bodies are leading to approaches which manage the level of demand, and which recognize that water may, for various reasons, be in relatively short supply. The issues are illustrated by a case study of a recent tourist development, in which demand side management measures were extensively utilized.

01 Jan 1996
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined whether consumer demand is sufficient to support a full-service water supply system without the need for government intervention to subsidize low-income groups in Dehra Dun India.
Abstract: This study examines whether consumer demand is sufficient to support a full-service water supply system without the need for government intervention to subsidize low-income groups in Dehra Dun India. Data were obtained from a survey of 1100 households in Dehra Dun. Demand information pertained to consumers coping costs based on an unreliable water supply and consumers willingness to pay more for improved water service. The site was selected due to the prevalence of favorable attitudes toward reform and the intermittent nature of the water supply. This city satisfied project criteria of having a sound water system that was no older than 10 years an adequate water supply source for the next 5-10 years and the willingness of the state and local government to privately commercialize the water supplies. This report presents findings on the overall water supply conditions and constraints consumer usage and payment patterns estimated demand based on two methods the value and price of water improving the water supply and conclusions. The survey was conducted during the regular season while the costs were highest in the dry season. It is assumed despite the local patterns of costs that demand functions are the same during the wet and dry seasons. The estimates do not include possible industrial and commercial tariffs. Current supplies are likely to be overestimates. Willingness to pay exceeded the revenues currently collected by the water works department. Current coping costs meet current billings. A full service water supply is a commercially viable option. The poor currently pay higher real costs for water than people with water connections. It is recommended that a study be conducted in the dry season in a larger town among institutions and on environmental health conditions. Skills in survey methods and demand analysis need to be transferred.