Water Economics, Statistics and Finance

The increasing scarcity of water resources, the decreasing quality of the readily available water and the competition among users and uses, compel us to respect the polluter pays principle and full cost recovery in water resources and asset management. This conference aimed to make a major contribution to the transfer of knowledge from research to practice covering the entire water cycle, ultimately influencing major policy decisions. Delegates had the opportunity of taking part in a forum to debate a number of important issues such as: how utilities are financed; the variety of water tariff structures; measurement of performance; national and regional water industry statistics; water facts; regulation; updating abstraction, consumption and water charging figures; valuing benefits from improved water quality. From 126 manuscripts submitted 91 were presented as full or short papers and following peer review 30 were selected for this volume. They were divided into five sessions: water economics and management; cost analysis; financing and charging for water and sanitation; benchmarking and efficiency; and statistical analysis techniques. This volume will be a valuable source of information for researchers, academics, regulators, consultants and students from a wide range of disciplines interested in water sustainability and policy. The information presented here has made a valuable contribution to the issues discussed, however, there is still much more needed in the future before these issues are effectively addressed.