The year 1965 marked the beginning of the International Hydrological Decade. This project, covering the next tan years, has as its major conoern an assessment of the water resource of the earth. At present, it is estimated that some 21.4 million km.^3 of the world's water resouree is locked in ice or permanent snow. This represents approximately 9% of all fresh water on the earth or in the ataosphere. The estimates, of course, vary widely from author to author, but in any case the position of snow and ice in the fresh water balance of the globe is anything but negligible. Clearly the International Hydrological Decade must assess this quantity in some detail. To this end, many nations have undertaken the study of the mass budgets of selected glaciers and ice sheets vithin their boundaries. [...]

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Government expenditure on infrastructure has been high in most developing countries. However, though access to services has broadened, the general condition of infrastructure is poor, and the quality of service has deteriorated. Water services is a good example of this problematique. / The purpose of this thesis is to provide a demand-oriented perspective on water provision for domestic users. The thesis examines cost recovery potential based on household willingness to pay more for an improved service and water pricing. Also, factors contributing to rising provision costs are explored, with the aim of formulating prescriptions for demand management and lowered costs. The thesis also focuses on institutional strengthening scenarios which achieve a demand orientation in water delivery. To this end, competition in the provision of water services and the regulation of service providers are examined. / A case study of domestic users in Trinidad was undertaken. Households in the main urban area were surveyed to test willingness to pay for water improvements using a questionnaire which incorporated three methodologies; contingent ranking, contingent valuation and the household production function. The household production function examined the revealed preference of consumers, whereas the contingent ranking and contingent valuation considered the stated preference for different features of the water service. / The survey found that most consumers were willing to pay more than twice the current price of water, contingent upon a guaranteed improvement in service, particularly reliability. The main factors influencing willingness to pay were household income, the price of water, number of service hours, and housing and land tenure. The results indicate that while the potential for cost recovery does exist, formulating demand-oriented water policies with a focus on improved reliability is necessary. / Extensive interviews were also conducted with professionals from both local and international agencies involved in the water sector, to elicit their perspectives on the problems of water agencies and possible solutions. There is a consensus among sector professionals that water agencies should emphasize improvements in operational performance, system maintenance and rehabilitation, and quality and reliability of service, instead of increases in capacity through new investments. Professionals took the common position that institutional capacity building was needed to achieve these results.

Though water is the most essential element of life in most developing countries clean drinking water is supplied intermittently to consumers. Municipalities are often under the impression that intermittent supply is an ideal measure to conserve water. With over a billion people grappling with deteriorating infrastructure and water scarcity, it is impossible to neglect the effects of intermittent supply. It is essential to examine the origin of the problem, quantify the effects or consequences and then provide feasible solutions. Hence, this thesis provides a comprehensive review of the existing condition of water supply systems in developing countries but more importantly, examines the causes of the intermittency and highlights the significant economic incentive that could be achieved by maintaining a continuous supply system. Finally the thesis concludes with a series of feasible solutions including short-term and long-term plans that would assist in a complete migration towards 24-hour supply.

Though water is the most essential element of life in most developing countries clean drinking water is supplied intermittently to consumers. Municipalities are often under the impression that intermittent supply is an ideal measure to conserve water. With over a billion people grappling with deteriorating infrastructure and water scarcity, it is impossible to neglect the effects of intermittent supply. It is essential to examine the origin of the problem, quantify the effects or consequences and then provide feasible solutions. Hence, this thesis provides a comprehensive review of the existing condition of water supply systems in developing countries but more importantly, examines the causes of the intermittency and highlights the significant economic incentive that could be achieved by maintaining a continuous supply system. Finally the thesis concludes with a series of feasible solutions including short-term and long-term plans that would assist in a complete migration towards 24-hour supply.

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Thesis (DoctorateofBusinessAdministration))--University of South Australia, 2005.

Thesis (M.S.-Hydrology and Water Resources)--University of Arizona. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S. - Watershed Management)--University of Arizona, 1984. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-105).

Thesis (M.S. - Hydrology and Water Resources)--University of Arizona. / Includes bibliographical references.