Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.3390/w17192917
Licence creative commons licence
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. ORCID logo ; Klassert, C.; Klauer, B.; Gawel, E. ORCID logo
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