Factors Affecting Residential Water Demand In and Around the Big Sioux River Basin

An adequate supply of usable water has determined the location and growth potential of many communities. When supply is abundant, the cost of providing water to residents is low. With depletion of easily accessible supplies, providing additional water becomes increasingly expensive. As a tool for managers of public water systems, price is of prime importance since it is the one variable that can be easily changed. A regional demand function for water will indicate whether price can be utilized as a policy tool to achieve the desired change in quantity of water demanded within that region