Document Type
Working Paper
Publication Date
7-31-2017
Document Number
Working Paper 2017-02
Abstract
Applying linear and log-log functional forms plus spatial econometric analyses to a dataset of 125 municipal water utilities, we investigate the determinants of charges for water use and minimum monthly access to water across West Virginia municipalities in 2014. Water charges models are consistent with the theory of water cost determination as water source, debt, and economies of size plus scale influence what household consumers pay for water. Based on model results, groundwater use by utilities lowers water charges and is estimated to save household customers in West Virginia over $3.6 million annually. West Virginia households typically pay far below the OECD standard of 3 to 5% of household income for municipal water, which may explain why socioeconomic factors do not influence minimum charges for access.
Digital Commons Citation
Erfanian, Elham and Collins, Alan R., "Charges for Water and Access: What Explains the Differences in West Virginia Municipalities?" (2017). Regional Research Institute Working Papers. 32.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/rri_pubs/32