Segmenting the Urban and Rural Populations of Southern Alberta for Improved Understanding of Policy Preferences for Water Reallocation

Abstract

Agriculture competes for access to water with other sectors and the environment; policymakers are being challenged to balance these competing demands. In the face of limited supplies, water reallocation among users is frequently advanced as a solution. However, this option is politically charged, and implementation success is strongly influenced by stakeholders’ values. This research identifies the water-related values of urban and rural residents in southern Alberta, Canada, and determines how their values influence the acceptability of water reallocation policies. Cluster analysis revealed three discrete clusters of respondents among rural and urban residents not involved in irrigation: pro-environmental, utilitarian, and undecided. Differences and similarities among the three clusters are explored, revealing widespread opinions on water transfers between sectors and the conditions under which they should take place.

Keywords:

• Alberta
• environmental values
• irrigation
• rural–urban differences
• water allocation
• water governance

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by Alberta Innovates and the Canadian Water Network. Thorough and constructive comments were provided by three reviewers.

Notes

Note. SA = strongly agree; AG = agree; SD = strongly disagree. *p < .1; **p < .05; ***p < .001.

Significance levels reported in value statement column are difference between clusters within rural and urban samples. That is, do the members of the three rural cluster differ, and do those of the urban clusters differ?

Significance levels reported in the Rural ProEnv, Util and Undec columns are differences between like clusters. That is, do the members of the ProEnv Rural differ from those of ProEnv Urban?

Note. Total N = 1,066.

^a Where people have mainly lived differ significantly across clusters.

^b Where people spend their formative years differ significantly across clusters.

Note. SA = strongly agree; AG = agree; DA = disagree; SD = strongly disagree. *p < .1; **p < .05; ***p < .01.

Significance levels reported in Policy statement column are difference between clusters within rural and urban samples. That is, do the members of the three rural clusters differ, and do those of the urban clusters differ?

Significance levels reported in the Rural ProEnv, Util, and Undec columns are differences between like clusters. That is, do the members of the ProEnv Rural differ from those of ProEnv Urban?