The University of New Mexico Economics department is conducting a water usage computerized simulation as part of a study of how customers of the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority might react to changes in water rates. The investigators will make appointments with residents who want to participate between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays beginning June 14. It’s expected the study will run through July 12.
“Population growth, drought and climate change will force us to make hard choices about how we use water and are likely to put upward pressure on water rates,” said Associate Professor Kate Krause. “We are trying to get a sense of how Albuquerque residents will respond to these challenges.”
As part of the experiment, which was funded by the National Science Foundation, participants will be asked to provide and input initial values based on their own situation (size of yard, number of residents, etc.). Afterward, a computer will generate new watering scenarios based on that participant’s starting point and values.
The simulation will cover several hypothetical summer months during which participants will make choices about specific water uses. The choices participants make will help the researchers get a sense of where people feel they might be able to reduce their water use first, or if they actually could reduce their use any more.
Interested participants should be willing to spend approximately an hour and a half to complete the survey. Participants will be paid $10 to show up, plus up to an additional $40 depending on the participant's completion and performance on the experiment. Average participant payments total approximately $40. Only water users who have had a bill continuously from the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority since July 2005 are eligible to participate.
Individuals may sign up or obtain additional information by e-mailing priceexp@unm.edu or by calling (505) 277-6335.
Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu