Abstract：Based on analyzing the present situation of the water price for living of town in Guanzhong area,this thesis illustrates that the water price for living of town goes below the cost, and the price structure in Guanzhong area does not include the value of water resource and the value of environment. That is, the water price structure is unreasonable and unsustainable.
Through analysis price elasticity of demand, the paper demonstrates that the improvement of water price can reduce the amount of water use in Guanzhong area, especially Tongchuan city and Xianyang city, which the amount of water use is sensitive to improvement of water price. The payout of water rate is in small proportion to their income in different income families, however, the increase of water price takes a bigger influence on low income families than high income families. Water price must increase beyond water cost; meanwhile the increase of water price should take into account the endurance of low income families. The paper estimates the potential of price adjusting in configuration of water resources.
Sustainable water price consists of three parts,i.e. cost, profit and value decided by water resources. When adjusting water price there are three principles, which are equity and equality, taking back cost, and sustainable development, must be considered. On the basis of the three principles of adjusting water price, some countermeasures are put forwards to adjust water resource use with the price lever in Guanzhong area.
Countermeasures include:firstly, regulating the structure of water to reflect the water value, moreover, water price not only should reflect its cost, but also reflect its value. Secondly, practicing ration of water use in living water use, the water price structure should transit from single water price structure to two staged water price structure. It will be a lower water price when the water use below ration of water use, and it will be a higher water price when the water use exceeds its ration of water use. Thirdly, carrying out seasonal water price, water price should be higher in summer when the water use is high, and its price should be lower in winter when the water use is low.
胡浩. 城镇可持续生活供水价格研究——以陕西省关中地区为例[J]. 人文地理, 2004, 19(2): 84-87.
HU Hao. A STUDY ON SUSTAINABLE WATER PRICE FOR LIVING OF TOWN -A Case Study of Guanzhong Area, Shannxi Province. HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, 2004, 19(2): 84-87.
