Design and Evaluation of Irrigation Water Pricing Policies for Enhanced Water Use Efficiency
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VIEW THE REPLYPublication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 142, Issue 3
Abstract
Utilizing economic instruments, especially water pricing, is a useful strategy in the management of water demand. In this study, water pricing policies along with incentive strategies through subsidies to farmers are implemented and simulated for improving the efficient use of water. To determine the crop pattern configuration and water allocation schemes, a genetic algorithm (GA) based optimization model is developed to obtain the potential maximum net benefit. The economic value of water is obtained using a combination of mathematical programming and residual methods within an optimal framework. In this model, water prices increase at the same time that subsidies are given to farmers to encourage them to use efficient irrigation technologies. Results indicate that implementation of this scenario increases the net benefit to US$249.3 million per year, which is 40% higher than the current historical value. Because of the efficiency improvements in the use of water, the economic value of water increases from to US . The results demonstrate the significant effects of water pricing policies on persuading consumers to reduce their water consumption.
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Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 142 • Issue 3 • March 2016
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 21, 2014
Accepted: Aug 26, 2015
Published online: Nov 12, 2015
Published in print: Mar 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Apr 12, 2016
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