The Cost of Water in Some Areas

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Taxpayers are subsidizing farmers, as well as what I call an opportunity cost subsidy in the sense that somebody has the right to use water for free. And so when I complain about that derating because the engineers are self interested, I'm not suggesting it's an A. No, yeah, exactly. So, you know, maybe it's not a D,maybe it's seem honest. It's not really good.

David Zetland of Leiden University College in the Netherlands and author of Living with Water Scarcity talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about the challenges of water management. Issues covered include the sustainability of water supplies, the affordability of water for the poor, the incentives water companies face, and the management of water systems in the poorest countries. Also discussed are the diamond and water paradox, campaigns to reduce water usage, and the role of prices in managing a water system.