Water Utilities: Conservation Versus Cost

Water Price Data Collection

Data were collected by analyzing the most recent publicly available water rate document for each community water system (as of January 2022). Using the water rate document, estimates were made for the price of 6,000 gallons per month—representing low indoor water use, roughly 200 gallons per household per day (GPHD) over 30 days; moderate water use—12,000 gallons per month, or 400 GPHD; and high-water use—18,000 gallons per month, or 600 GPHD. Water rates used in these calculations were based on January 2022 pricing to account for only indoor water use. Single-family residential pricing was used for a three-quarter-inch meter. Following water price estimation, attempts were made to reach out to each community water system for price confirmation and comment. Seven of 37 utilities responded and their input was used to correct any miscalculations. All prices include base service fees and additional fees or surcharges, though stormwater, sewer costs, and taxes were excluded. To calculate the rate steepness coefficient, the slope formula was used to determine the slope between the price and volume of what we considered low monthly water use and high monthly water use.