As a high priority in dealing with the problem of water scarcity, the effect of water pricing policy remains a controversial issue, especially the environmental effect. Using household-level panel data of three irriga...As a high priority in dealing with the problem of water scarcity, the effect of water pricing policy remains a controversial issue, especially the environmental effect. Using household-level panel data of three irrigation districts （IDs） in the northern China, this paper probes the potential impact of water price rising on local environment. The examination shows that farmers will reduce the rice area as a response to the rising surface water prices. The changing cropping pattern will exert three-fold environmental impacts, including the dropping groundwater level resulting from the reduction of seepage and percolation of irrigated water and overexploitation of groundwater, the negative effect of non-point pollution from fertilizer and pesticide application, and the loss of field irrigation facilities. Water pricing is not a valid means of significantly reducing agricultural water consumption due to the substitution of groundwater for surface water, it will lead to negative environmental effect. It is an imperative task for Chinese government to improve the management efficiency at IDs.展开更多
The role of water pricing for managing water resources is widely recognized in many areas of the world because of the increasing scarcity of water resources, a high competition between water uses and environmental deg...The role of water pricing for managing water resources is widely recognized in many areas of the world because of the increasing scarcity of water resources, a high competition between water uses and environmental degradation. Based on the analysis of cost of water, this paper explores which types of cost should be reflected in the water pricing enhancing the sustainability of water resources. The principle of full cost pricing in which the cost should include supply cost, opportunity cost and externalities is proposed as a means to achieve the sustainability of water resources. In a case study of Beijing, low water price is analyzed as one reason for unsustainable water consumption. Thus water pricing justified is necessary and pressing. It is proposed to justify water price in phased manner and eventually towards full cost pricing. The assessment of impacts on water resources by raising water price shows water pricing could alleviate the conflict between water supply and demand. This paper concludes that water pricing can play an effective role in enhancing the sustainability of water resources in Beijing.展开更多
Price plays an important role in water resources management. The price of water resources can also be considered as a “water resource tax” which reflects the value and opportunity cost of water, and people will pay ...Price plays an important role in water resources management. The price of water resources can also be considered as a “water resource tax” which reflects the value and opportunity cost of water, and people will pay for the right to use water. Currently, the water resource fees’ effect of regulating resource differential revenues is not manifest and it’s not enough to reflect the principle of paid use of resources as well as regulating resources differential revenues. Due to the ambiguity and complexity of water resources price, this paper uses methods relating to fuzzy mathematics for modeling and processing. The study had a comprehensive consideration of five factors including water quality, water resources per capita, household consumption level, per capita GNP, population or population density to evaluate the water resource price.展开更多
China ranks the thirteenth among countries with serious water shortage problems in the world. The average amount of water owned per person is only 2400 m 3/year, which is about 1/4 of the world average. But unfortu...China ranks the thirteenth among countries with serious water shortage problems in the world. The average amount of water owned per person is only 2400 m 3/year, which is about 1/4 of the world average. But unfortunately, the efficiency of water use, especially in agriculture in some arid areas, is very low, only 20%30% in some areas. The main reason is that water prices are too low to protect the water resources. In this paper, the Tarim Basin of southern Xinjiang is selected to study the water supply costs and farmer's tolerance of water expenses based on a great amount of data collected in the four prefectures in the Tarim Basin. Then, three steps are suggested for water pricing reform in the Tarim Basin. Finally, several possible water pricing patterns are presented, such as water coupons, seasonal floating prices, and water price counting in kind but paying in currency. The conclusion is that the present water price system should be reformed and the water price can be increased to some extent for agricultural use even in Xinjiang, a developing area in China.展开更多
With the development and reform of water price policy, the most common view is that the total cost of water price can reflect the tradable traits of water resources, which can enhance the water use efficiency and achi...With the development and reform of water price policy, the most common view is that the total cost of water price can reflect the tradable traits of water resources, which can enhance the water use efficiency and achieve water resources sustainable utilization. Besides in actual pricing operation, from the angle of protection cost, water price characterizes the cost of controlling pollution and protecting water environment. Based on the two factors of water environment capacity and ecological water consumption embodied by the environment water price, this paper puts forward an effective environmental water price calculation model based on three elements of sewage treatment fee, ecological water price and water quality maintenance fee. And this paper takes the data of Hefei as an example, calculates reasonable environmental price, comparing which with the existing price, and finds the main existing problem which needs to be solved urgently in management.展开更多
In its urbanization course, China is faced with a scarcity of water resources in terms of both water quantity and quality. The development of water industry is a fundamental way to alleviate water shortage. Influenced...In its urbanization course, China is faced with a scarcity of water resources in terms of both water quantity and quality. The development of water industry is a fundamental way to alleviate water shortage. Influenced by the traditional planned economy, Chinas urban water industry has been mainly owned and run by local municipal governments. Their tight fiscal budgets have led to very inadequate investments in water industry and thus, caused a slow development of water industry. In this case, restructuring urban water industry is very important. Based on the discussion concerning the trend of demand for and supply of urban water resources, this paper explores such strategic issues as water industry organization and integrated approaches addressing water scarcity. These are followed by a discussion of introducing market mechanism for restructuring water industry.展开更多
Reforms of the water pricing management system and the establishment of a flexible water pricing system are significant for cities in northern China to tackle their critical water issues. The WATAP （Water conserva- t...Reforms of the water pricing management system and the establishment of a flexible water pricing system are significant for cities in northern China to tackle their critical water issues. The WATAP （Water conserva- tion Technology Adoption Processes） model is developed in order to capture the water conservation technology adoption process under different price scenarios with disaggregate water demands down to the end use level. This model is explicitly characterized by the technological selection process under maximum marginal benefit assumption by different categories of households. In particular, when households need to purchase water devices in the provision market with the consideration of complex factors such as the life span, investment and operating costs of the device, as well as the regulated water price by the government. Applied to Tianjin city, four scenarios of water price evolutions for a long-term perspective （from year 2011 to 2030） are considered, including BAU （Business As Usual）, SP1 （Scenario of Price increase with constant annual rate）, SP2 （Scenario of Price increase every four years） and SP3 （Scenario of Price increase with affordable constraint）, considering many factors such as historic trends, affordability and incentives for conservation. Results show that on aggregate 2.3%, 11.0% and 18.2% of fresh water can be saved in the residential sector in scenario SP1, SP2 and SP3, respec- tively, compared with the BAU scenario in the year 2030. The water price signals can change the market shares of different water appliances, as well as the water end use structure of households, and ultimately improve water use efficiency. The WATAP model may potentially be a helpful tool to provide insights for policy makers on water conservation technology policy analysis and assessment.展开更多
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China （70273023, 70573091） the National Planning Office of Philosophy and Social Science Project in 2003, China （03BJY038）.
文摘As a high priority in dealing with the problem of water scarcity, the effect of water pricing policy remains a controversial issue, especially the environmental effect. Using household-level panel data of three irrigation districts （IDs） in the northern China, this paper probes the potential impact of water price rising on local environment. The examination shows that farmers will reduce the rice area as a response to the rising surface water prices. The changing cropping pattern will exert three-fold environmental impacts, including the dropping groundwater level resulting from the reduction of seepage and percolation of irrigated water and overexploitation of groundwater, the negative effect of non-point pollution from fertilizer and pesticide application, and the loss of field irrigation facilities. Water pricing is not a valid means of significantly reducing agricultural water consumption due to the substitution of groundwater for surface water, it will lead to negative environmental effect. It is an imperative task for Chinese government to improve the management efficiency at IDs.
文摘The role of water pricing for managing water resources is widely recognized in many areas of the world because of the increasing scarcity of water resources, a high competition between water uses and environmental degradation. Based on the analysis of cost of water, this paper explores which types of cost should be reflected in the water pricing enhancing the sustainability of water resources. The principle of full cost pricing in which the cost should include supply cost, opportunity cost and externalities is proposed as a means to achieve the sustainability of water resources. In a case study of Beijing, low water price is analyzed as one reason for unsustainable water consumption. Thus water pricing justified is necessary and pressing. It is proposed to justify water price in phased manner and eventually towards full cost pricing. The assessment of impacts on water resources by raising water price shows water pricing could alleviate the conflict between water supply and demand. This paper concludes that water pricing can play an effective role in enhancing the sustainability of water resources in Beijing.
文摘Price plays an important role in water resources management. The price of water resources can also be considered as a “water resource tax” which reflects the value and opportunity cost of water, and people will pay for the right to use water. Currently, the water resource fees’ effect of regulating resource differential revenues is not manifest and it’s not enough to reflect the principle of paid use of resources as well as regulating resources differential revenues. Due to the ambiguity and complexity of water resources price, this paper uses methods relating to fuzzy mathematics for modeling and processing. The study had a comprehensive consideration of five factors including water quality, water resources per capita, household consumption level, per capita GNP, population or population density to evaluate the water resource price.
文摘China ranks the thirteenth among countries with serious water shortage problems in the world. The average amount of water owned per person is only 2400 m 3/year, which is about 1/4 of the world average. But unfortunately, the efficiency of water use, especially in agriculture in some arid areas, is very low, only 20%30% in some areas. The main reason is that water prices are too low to protect the water resources. In this paper, the Tarim Basin of southern Xinjiang is selected to study the water supply costs and farmer's tolerance of water expenses based on a great amount of data collected in the four prefectures in the Tarim Basin. Then, three steps are suggested for water pricing reform in the Tarim Basin. Finally, several possible water pricing patterns are presented, such as water coupons, seasonal floating prices, and water price counting in kind but paying in currency. The conclusion is that the present water price system should be reformed and the water price can be increased to some extent for agricultural use even in Xinjiang, a developing area in China.
文摘With the development and reform of water price policy, the most common view is that the total cost of water price can reflect the tradable traits of water resources, which can enhance the water use efficiency and achieve water resources sustainable utilization. Besides in actual pricing operation, from the angle of protection cost, water price characterizes the cost of controlling pollution and protecting water environment. Based on the two factors of water environment capacity and ecological water consumption embodied by the environment water price, this paper puts forward an effective environmental water price calculation model based on three elements of sewage treatment fee, ecological water price and water quality maintenance fee. And this paper takes the data of Hefei as an example, calculates reasonable environmental price, comparing which with the existing price, and finds the main existing problem which needs to be solved urgently in management.
文摘In its urbanization course, China is faced with a scarcity of water resources in terms of both water quantity and quality. The development of water industry is a fundamental way to alleviate water shortage. Influenced by the traditional planned economy, Chinas urban water industry has been mainly owned and run by local municipal governments. Their tight fiscal budgets have led to very inadequate investments in water industry and thus, caused a slow development of water industry. In this case, restructuring urban water industry is very important. Based on the discussion concerning the trend of demand for and supply of urban water resources, this paper explores such strategic issues as water industry organization and integrated approaches addressing water scarcity. These are followed by a discussion of introducing market mechanism for restructuring water industry.
文摘Reforms of the water pricing management system and the establishment of a flexible water pricing system are significant for cities in northern China to tackle their critical water issues. The WATAP （Water conserva- tion Technology Adoption Processes） model is developed in order to capture the water conservation technology adoption process under different price scenarios with disaggregate water demands down to the end use level. This model is explicitly characterized by the technological selection process under maximum marginal benefit assumption by different categories of households. In particular, when households need to purchase water devices in the provision market with the consideration of complex factors such as the life span, investment and operating costs of the device, as well as the regulated water price by the government. Applied to Tianjin city, four scenarios of water price evolutions for a long-term perspective （from year 2011 to 2030） are considered, including BAU （Business As Usual）, SP1 （Scenario of Price increase with constant annual rate）, SP2 （Scenario of Price increase every four years） and SP3 （Scenario of Price increase with affordable constraint）, considering many factors such as historic trends, affordability and incentives for conservation. Results show that on aggregate 2.3%, 11.0% and 18.2% of fresh water can be saved in the residential sector in scenario SP1, SP2 and SP3, respec- tively, compared with the BAU scenario in the year 2030. The water price signals can change the market shares of different water appliances, as well as the water end use structure of households, and ultimately improve water use efficiency. The WATAP model may potentially be a helpful tool to provide insights for policy makers on water conservation technology policy analysis and assessment.
