The Cost of Water in Sydney and Amsterdam

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The statistics on water consumption are usually done on a macro scale. San Diegoans consume about twice as much water as people in Sydney and about five times as much as people in Amsterdam. So, how about the pricing side though? Is the pricing different in Sydney and in Amsterdam? The pricing is significantly different from Las Vegas.

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.