Benefits Of Metering Research Articles

The effects of the universal metering programme on water consumption, welfare and equity

Abstract There is consensus that meters are necessary for the promotion of efficient water usage. However, available evidence on the benefits and costs of metering is scant, and often based on small samples. We use data from the first large-scale compulsory metering programme in England to study its impact on consumption, social efficiency and distributional outcomes. We find a decrease in consumption of 22% following meter installation, a considerably higher value than assumed as a policy target. This result implies that, overall, the benefits of metering outweigh its costs. We also document a large heterogeneity in reaction, with many households showing low sensitivity to the new tariff. This novel finding suggests that selective metering, where only more price-sensitive households receive meters, would deliver even higher social welfare. Looking at distributional effects, we find similar reduction in consumption across income groups, although only high-income households gain financially from the new tariff.

Metering utility services: Evaluation and maintenance

The value of metering customer connections to public utilities is often taken for granted. The paper proposes methods for evaluating customer metering in terms of maximizing economic efficiency, utility profits, and economic equity. Significant improvements are made in methods for assessing the conservation benefits of metering. Methods are illustrated using domestic water supply examples, but are applicable to any utility service. When metering is inefficient, so is marginal cost pricing. The paper also applies Bayesian decision analysis and regeneration theory to the maintenance of water meters. This maintenance scheduling method is relevant for other component maintenance problems in water resource systems.

Cost Comparison of Unmetered and Metered Systems at Idaho Falls

This article discusses the use of a simple dollars‐and‐cents cost comparison by the city of Idaho Falls, Idaho, to convince unmetered customers of the benefits of metering. The article discusses how the comparison was accomplished, the first requirement being the determination of use rate, and then by prorating the recorded use rate to the peak day production for the season, the city was able to determine a projected peak use rate. Advantages and disadvantages of the use of metering are listed, along with three factors affecting the total cost of supplying water that include developing the supply, delivering the water, and installing the meters.