Water-Price Effect on Residential and Apartment Low-Flow Fixtures

Abstract

The relationship between water price and the installation of low-flow faucets, low-flow toilets, low-flow showerheads, and drip irrigation of plantings was analyzed for apartments and individual households in Tucson, Ariz. The difference between individually metered household motivations and apartment-owner motivations to install these devices is discussed. Logit regression analysis of household data found water price to be a significant factor at the 0.05 confidence level in the installation of low-flow faucets, low-flow toilets, and drip irrigation for plantings. Other household variables examined included moral obligation to save water, household size, and family income. For households, moral obligation to save water significantly motivated the installation of low-flow toilets, showerheads, and faucets. Analysis of apartment data found water price to be a significant factor at the 0.05 confidence level in the installation of low-flow showerheads and low-flow faucets. Other apartment variables included the average assessed value per bedroom and the number of apartments in the complex. Larger size apartment complexes were found significantly associated with low-flow showerheads, low-flow faucets, and drip irrigation.