The effectiveness of price as a water conservation measure remains an open empirical issue and relevant policy question. We conduct a meta-regression analysis that summarizes 615 estimates of the price elasticity of residential water demand, from 124 econometric studies. Large-sample studies...

Local governments are reluctant to contract out public services. This paper shows that resistance to contracting out is not at odds with efficiency. The sample includes all 135 municipalities that were distributing gas in an Italian region when a national reform ended in-house delivery....