Residential Water Demand in a Fast-growing Metropolis: The Case of Honolulu, Hawaii

Abstract

Multi-unit housing residents are important consumers of fresh water in the City and County of Honolulu (CCH). This study examined water use in private multi-unit residences as well as Hawaii Housing Authority (HHA) multi-units in relation to variables such as price of water, number of units, income of residents, etc. using monthly water use data of the top 100 Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) water users. The generalized least squares (GLS) procedure was used to estimate the regressionequations, although the results of ordinary least squares (OLS) estimation are also presented.Based on the results, inducing lower water use by raising the water price appeared somewhat feasible in the case of private multi-unit residences. The same was not, however, true in the case of HHA housing units. A long-term plan to make the water users (who have so far been shielded from bearing the cost directly) pay for water directly (by installing water meters for individual units) has been suggested to promote the prudent use of water.