Tap'd In

#3: Water for profit - Properly regulated businesses add value

Tap Season 1 Episode 3

In this episode of Tap’d In, hosts Jordan and Lana delve into the role of economic principles in managing water resources, guided by David Zetland's Living with Water Scarcity. The discussion challenges common criticisms of bottled water, proposing that consumer choice and environmental concerns are better addressed through policies like deposit systems rather than outright bans. Zetland also advocates for full-cost pricing to encourage conservation and prevent shortages, while debunking the need for overly complex "energy-water nexus" strategies. Instead, he argues that proper pricing mechanisms for both water and energy can naturally optimize resource allocation. Finally, the episode highlights the critical importance of effective regulation in ensuring the success of water utilities, regardless of whether they are publicly or privately owned.

David Zetland: https://www.kysq.org/

Living with Water Scarcity: https://www.kysq.org/lwws/

Links:

Tap: https://findtap.com/

PodSnacks (Podcast Summaries): https://www.podsnacks.org/