Literature Review on Rebound Effect of Water Saving Measures and Analysis of a Spanish Case Study

The hypothesis of a rebound effect as a consequence of water saving investments is taken analogically from the Jevons paradox models in energy economics. The European Commission (EC) alert about the consequences in water stressed regions that are investing heavily in modernization of irrigation netw...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water resources management 2015-02, Vol.29 (3), p.663-678
Main Authors: Berbel, Julio, Gutiérrez-Martín, Carlos, Rodríguez-Díaz, Juan A., Camacho, Emilio, Montesinos, Pilar
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atmospheric Sciences
Basins
Case studies
Civil Engineering
Cost control
Cost recovery
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Economics
Efficiency
Empirical analysis
Energy economics
Environment
Geotechnical Engineering & Applied Earth Sciences
Hydrogeology
Hydrology
Hydrology/Water Resources
Investments
Irrigation
Irrigation systems
Literature reviews
Modernization
Precipitation
Price levels
Studies
Sustainability
Water
Water conservation
Water diversion
Water resources management
Water rights
Water saving
Water utilities
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Summary:The hypothesis of a rebound effect as a consequence of water saving investments is taken analogically from the Jevons paradox models in energy economics. The European Commission (EC) alert about the consequences in water stressed regions that are investing heavily in modernization of irrigation networks and systems. This paper reviews the literature, linking water savings with water diversion and water depletion, both from theoretical models and empirical evidence from the published research. In order to increase knowledge of this phenomenon, a new empirical case study is presented based on a survey of 36,000 ha of recently modernized irrigated areas in the Guadalquivir basin (southern Spain). The results of the case study illustrates the conditions that may avoid rebound effect, although the results of the available empirical evidence and the published theoretical research are diverse and lead to contradictory results. Further research is therefore needed to determine the causes and solutions of water saving investment impacts and the possible speculative rebound effect.
ISSN:0920-4741
1573-1650
DOI:10.1007/s11269-014-0839-0