Publication Details |
| Category | Text Publication |
| Reference Category | Journals |
| DOI | 10.3390/w17192917 |
Licence  |
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| Title (Primary) | Estimating household water demand and affordability under intermittent supply: an econometric analysis with a water–energy nexus perspective for Pimpri-Chinchwad, India |
| Author | Zhu, Y.
; Klassert, C.; Klauer, B.; Gawel, E.
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| Source Titel | Water |
| Year | 2025 |
| Department | OEKON; UPOL |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue | 19 |
| Page From | art. 2917 |
| Language | englisch |
| Topic | T5 Future Landscapes |
| Data and Software links | https://doi.org/10.7802/2730 |
| Keywords | water–energy nexus; household piped water demand; Discrete-Continuous Choice model; intermittent water supply; water affordability; water demand management |
| Abstract | Urban water utilities in rapidly developing regions face growing challenges in ensuring continuous supply. Intermittent public water supply leads to unreliable and inequitable access, compelling households to adopt energy-intensive coping strategies. This creates a nexus between water and energy demand at the household level. Few econometric analyses of household water demand have explicitly addressed this demand-side nexus in developing regions. Using survey data from the city of Pimpri-Chinchwad, India, where intermittent water supply is prevalent, we analyze household expenditures related to water access and estimate a piped water demand function with a Discrete-Continuous Choice model. We find that electricity expenditures for accessing water exceed water bills for approximately one-third of households. Including these costs in affordability calculations reveals hidden financial burdens, particularly for middle-income households. Water and electricity prices, income, and household size significantly influence water demand, with an income elasticity of 0.177 and water price elasticities ranging from 0 to −0.876. The cross-price elasticity of −0.097 indicates weak complementarity between electricity and piped water, suggesting electricity price changes do affect water use but are insufficient to drive substantial behavioral shifts. Targeted price increases in high-consumption blocks are more effective at curbing overuse, while simultaneous increases in water and electricity prices may heighten household vulnerability. These findings highlight the need for integrated, nexus-aware demand management strategies, particularly in regions with intermittent supply. |
| Persistent UFZ Identifier | https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=31410 |
| Zhu, Y., Klassert, C., Klauer, B., Gawel, E. (2025): Estimating household water demand and affordability under intermittent supply: an econometric analysis with a water–energy nexus perspective for Pimpri-Chinchwad, India Water 17 (19), art. 2917 10.3390/w17192917 |
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