Abstract
In developed countries, a number of factors are leading a growing number of households to drill private boreholes as independent water supplies. This chapter describes this phenomenon based on two case studies conducted in Southern France and Western Australia. It shows that, while the development of private wells was encouraged by the authorities in Perth, it is a major source of environmental, public health, economic and social concern for French water utilities. Household’s motivations to develop independent supply are then investigated. We finally discuss how water utilities need to adapt their management practices (setting tariffs, demand forecasting and resource protection) to take into account this phenomenon.
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Notes
- 1.
According to NUS consulting European water price barometer (2009), the average water price in France is 10 % lower than the European average (3.09 against 3.44 €/m3) and far below German and Danish prices (respectively 5.29 and 6.42 €/m3). The study is based on an analysis of the 5 largest cities in 10 EU countries, covering a total population of about 40 million inhabitants (Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Sweden).
- 2.
The survey targeted a sample of 2,778 households living in detached houses. They were selected in 100 neighborhoods representative of the diversity of the metropolitan area in terms of income, housing characteristics, groundwater characteristics, and water tariffs. The response rate was just below 10 % (227 answers with 200 fully exploitable).
- 3.
The estimated rate of bore-well ownership in this metropolitan area is high compared to what has been found in other cities. In the nearby Montpellier area for instance, a similar internet survey conducted with 347 households showed a borehole equipment rate of 9 %. The difference is mainly explained by geological conditions.
- 4.
The 2006 water law, modifying article L 2224-12 of the Code Général des Collectivités Territoriales (CGCT) and application decrees of 2/07/2008, 17/12/2008.
- 5.
Article 2224-12-5 of CGCT.
- 6.
Based on a sample of 720 households living in detached houses and monitored during 1998–2000.
- 7.
In 2013 A$, based on quotes provided by drilling contractors in the Perth metropolitan area; equivalent to €2,500–3,500.
- 8.
Up to A$300 (capped at 50 % of the installation cost) offered by Western Australian government as part of the ‘Water Wise’ rebate program.
- 9.
In October and November 2010, almost a thousand garden bore-well users in the Perth metropolitan area were caught breaching restrictions. News release by Department of Water, 9 December 2010. Available at http://www.water.wa.gov.au/News+and+events/News+archive/2010/1711.aspx
- 10.
In the medium term, and as energy prices rise, there could be cross-elasticity because of the cost of electricity or other fuel to provide energy for running the bore.
- 11.
This approach might not work for second homes which are only occupied during summer months. Errors are thus expected to be greater along the coast where seasonal occupancy is more frequent.
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Acknowledgments
This chapter was prepared as part of the EAU&3E project funded by the French Research Agency (ANR), grant VD-08-321989. We thank Céline Nauges and Geoffrey Syme for very useful comments on an earlier version of this paper. The usual disclaimers apply.
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Rinaudo, JD., Montginoul, M., Desprats, JF. (2015). The Development of Private Bore-Wells as Independent Water Supplies: Challenges for Water Utilities in France and Australia. In: Grafton, Q., Daniell, K., Nauges, C., Rinaudo, JD., Chan, N. (eds) Understanding and Managing Urban Water in Transition. Global Issues in Water Policy, vol 15. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9801-3_7
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