SILVA, A. P.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/7390468847313650; SILVA, André Pedro da.
Resumen:
This study aimed to analyze the behavior of water users in the domestic/residential
sector using the price elasticity of demand parameter, identifying the sensitivity of
demand in the face of the increase in the price of the cubic meter of water consumed.
The study area included the cities located in the Microregion of Araripina -PE/ Brazil,
for the period from January 2007 to December 2015. In the analysis of urban demand,
data were used: from a water meter and tariff structure provided by COMPESA -
Pernambuco Sanitation Company; and alternative methodologies, water trucks, in a
hypothetical condition of lack of water in the supply system. In the analysis of demand
due to the increase in the tariff, there was a predominantly elastic behavior, on
average, for a 1% increase in the tariff, the reduction in demand would correspond to
2.92%, proportionally. These results were also crossed in the El Niño and La Niña
periods: the mean elastic demands in the El Niño occurrences were quite
heterogeneous; in other cases, the values were below the global average. In
alternative methodologies, elasticities were calculated and demand functions were
assembled. Strong reductions in demand in water truck consumption and high parallel
market prices that conditioned elasticity values indicating inelastic demands were
observed. The results are expected to support studies of charging for water use using
economic models in regions with similar climatology.
