Degree
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Major(s)
Chemical Engineering
Document Type
Immediate Open Access
Abstract
This thesis examines disparities in water affordability in Alabama by exploring the relationship between water expenditure and other variables based on a quantitative analysis of a four-year water provider-level, panel data set. I utilize ordinary least squares to answer the following research question: "After controlling for income, what variables affect water expenditure in Alabama, and particularly, what impact does race have on water affordability and expenditure in Alabama?" This analysis is motivated by the on-going water and sewer affordability crisis that currently affects nonwhite households in the broader United States. Given that there are very few policies addressing water affordability, possible affordability disparities mean that households, particularly those in majority-nonwhite communities, are at risk of losing access to water. Based on my analysis, I find that counties with high Latinx population tend to also have households that face high water expenditure. Furthermore, I also find that rural counties and counties with a high number of Safe Drinking Water Act violations face high water expenditures.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.54718/HSSA2055
Date Defended
5-1-2022
Thesis Director
Interis, Matthew
Second Committee Member
Barefield, Alan
Third Committee Member
Hoffman, David
Recommended Citation
Datta, Mayukh, "The Price on Our Tap: A Policy and Quantitative Analysis of County-Level Water Affordability in Alabama" (2022). Honors Theses. 114.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/honorstheses/114
