Water rate structures are becoming an important tool for encouraging the most efficient use of our precious water in the arid West. Many cities with water rate structures that accurately reflect the value of water and the costs of obtaining new water supplies have lower per capita water use and can stretch existing water supplies farther. These cities are able to avoid much of the cost, delay, and controversy that accompany large new water development projects. As a result, they’re able to preserve the natural river systems that support habitat and the quality of life associated with outdoor experiences here in the West. This paper offers a guide to the various pricing options that urban water managers and policymakers can use. It explains which options generate the strongest incentive for efficient water use and yield the fairest billing for consumers who place different levels of demand on water supply systems. It then compares a large sampling of current water rate structures in communities throughout Utah. Read More
In early 2006, the Local Government Institute (LGI) at the School of Public Administration, University of Victoria entered into a partnership with the Ministry of Community Services (MCS) to develop an agenda for research on emerging government priorities in the context of the Community Charter for local and community governance in British Columbia. The initial work plan for the steering committee focuses on improving regional performance in the Province of British Columbia. Several papers have been developed as part of this project to consider different aspects of regional performance. The purpose of the paper on Water Management and Local Government Institutions is to consider regional drinking water systems in British Columbia from a comparative perspective and attempt to make recommendations to improve regional performance. Read More
The proposed U.S. budget for 2009 would provide money to USGS for determining national water use but cut funding for the agency's water-quality programs. The western U.S. has faced a full-blown drought for the past 5 years, and last fall's shocking drought in the Southeast U.S. may be a harbinger of future problems. So it's not too surprising that in the proposed budget for fiscal year 2009 (FY '09), the Bush Administration has asked Congress to provide $3 million to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to assess water use nationwide. At the same time, however, the administration has proposed slashing funding for USGS's well-established National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program. Read More
