Water in the time of corona(virus): The effect of stay-at-home orders on water demand in the desert

Abstract

In response to COVID-19, many U.S. states implemented stay-at-home orders to mitigate disease spread, causing radical changes across all facets of consumer behavior. In this paper, we explore how a stay-at-home (SAH) order impacted one aspect of behavior: the demand for water. Using a unique panel dataset of property-level water usage in Henderson, Nevada, we analyze changes in water usage from the SAH order, finding an initial and continuous decline in average daily usage for commercial and school users. In contrast, we find an initial increase in consumption by residential users with this effect increasing over time. Aggregated across all users, the SAH order led to an increase in net water usage between 32 and 59 million gallons over the first 30 days.

COVID‐19 and water demand: A review of literature and research evidence

“…Overall, most of the reviewed studies evidence increases in the overall volume of household water use since the introduction of COVID‐19 restrictions (Abu‐Bakar et al, 2021; Antwi et al, 2021; Berglund & DiCarlo, 2020; Bich‐Ngoc & Teller, 2020; Cooley et al, 2020; Cvetković et al, 2021; Irwin et al, 2021; Kalbusch et al, 2020; Kim et al, 2021; Li et al, 2021; Lüdtke et al, 2021; Menneer et al, 2021; Rizvi et al, 2020; Zanocco et al, 2021). For example, the peak daily consumption at the end of May 2020 in England and Wales was approximately 35% higher than it was pre‐lockdown (Alda‐Vidal et al, 2020).…”

“…Before discussing the observed changing patterns of water demand during COVID‐19 it is important to reflect on differences between the metrics and measurements used across this sample to discuss water consumption. In terms of the types of metrics reported, data was predominantly presented as percentage changes (Abu‐Bakar et al, 2021; Balacco et al, 2020; Berglund & DiCarlo, 2020; Cooley et al, 2020; Cvetković et al, 2021; Dzimińska et al, 2021; Irwin et al, 2021; Kim et al, 2021; Li et al, 2021; Menneer et al, 2021; Rizvi et al, 2020; Roidt et al, 2020). These studies provide a relative perspective on changes in water use, for example find a 15% increase in residential use observed in Portsmouth, UK at the start of the pandemic compared with pre‐pandemic levels.…”

“…The literature analyzed in this review tended to lack any specific theoretical framing, with a narrative often focused on the governance dynamics and industry challenges of meeting demand in the context of increasing consumption and increasing costs (Antwi et al, 2021; Cooley et al, 2020; Irwin et al, 2021; Roidt et al, 2020). This narrative provides a vital insight into the challenges faced in terms of meeting demand as well as managing emerging governance dynamics such as economic challenges for households resulting from COVID‐19 and the impact this could have on the water industry and governments (Cooley et al, 2020).…”

“…Likewise, studies included a variety of water use data in their analysis, some were solely domestic and residential use data, others included non‐residential and industrial. Often when data was used which reflected total water demand for an area (including non‐household) residential use was dominant (Bich‐Ngoc & Teller, 2020; Irwin et al, 2021; Lüdtke et al, 2021). For example, in Irwin et al (2021) empirical analysis of the effects of stay‐at‐home orders on water demand in the desert, they obtained water billing and usage data from the Henderson Water District, Nevada with residential, commercial, and schools representing the three large consumers.…”

“…Moving on from discussions of the impact of COVID‐19 on water demand, this section turns to discuss studies that examined the persistence and future of these altered water demand patterns and practices. Across the corpus of literature reviewed, there was limited consideration of the future and persistence of patterns and practices that arose during COVID‐19, aside from commentary provided in concluding remarks (Berglund & DiCarlo, 2020; Cooley et al, 2020; Cvetković et al, 2021; Irwin et al, 2021; Kim et al, 2021; Li et al, 2021). Some literature identified did feature discussions around this, for example, how increased home working and new leisure uses of water (e.g., increased gardening) resulted in new and altered domestic water use patterns and practices which may persist (Alda‐Vidal et al, 2020; Menneer et al, 2021).…”