The growing demand for water is making conservation and efficient use central issues, particularly as governments, utilities, and the private sector come under increasing pressure to be stewards of this precious and shared resource. In Deloitte's “Water Tight 2012” report, it said that a clearer water pricing will play an important role in how customers better manage their water usage. The report discusses a number of future radical solutions to water shortages, including long-term water trade agreements between countries, and the use of oil tankers for backhauling water in the not too distant future. Although the economics of this are yet to be proven, the use of tankers may be a viable alternative to building additional desalination plants in the Middle East. “There is a compelling case for utilities either to increase water prices or create a better pricing system that addresses scarcity issues, allows them to invest in the replacement of ageing infrastructure, and provides them with a satisfactory financial return,” said Kenneth McKellar, Energy and Resources leader at Deloitte in the Middle East. “Increasing water prices, however, is a difficult political decision, as domestic water usage is considered a basic human right. As such, raising awareness of water related issues and educating the public about the necessity of more effective water pricing is crucial.” According to the report, one potential solution for affordable prices and sufficient financial returns is tiered pricing. As water usage increases so would the price. Tiered pricing has already been successfully implemented in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and parts of the United States. The report explores the future of the global water sector in the year ahead and examines how major global trends such as population growth, increasing economic development, and urbanization, coupled with the changes in climate patterns, underscore the importance of effective public policy and private sector water stewardship in managing this finite and shared resource. “The true value of water is not adequately reflected by the current pricing which can lead to ineffective resource management,” said William Sarni, Director and Practice Leader, Enterprise Water Strategy, Deloitte Consulting LLP in the United States. “For most business sectors water is an essential resource. Therefore, effective water management is critical in ensuring business continuity and providing businesses with the social license to operate, and as a result, avoiding operational, regulatory, and reputational risks. Tiered pricing and increased prices are likely to improve water efficiency and increase innovation, while acknowledging the human right to water through appropriate policy adjustments.”
