The city of Las Vegas has had a very pro-growth, cheap water policy going for decades. Their goal by 2035 is to reduce that to below 200 gallons per capita per day. They actually pay people to take their lawns out. That's special. And they'll sell you water cheap, but then they'll also pay you to not use that water on your lawn.
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.