Socioeconomic Analysis
Measuring Water's Economic & Social Impact
Investments in water resources projects and policies underpin social and economic activity across the Western United States. WestWater Research helps clients better understand the social and economic impacts of water resources projects and policies, using approaches that are consistent with academic and industry best practices, as well as state and federal guidelines.
These tools evaluate the efficiency and equity of proposed investments and policies. We assess both directly observable impacts, where relevant market data are available, and indirect non-market impacts, using revealed-preference approaches or survey-based stated-preference methods.
Our economic impact analysis captures the direct, indirect, and induced effects of projects and policies on economic activity, employment, labor income, and tax revenues within and between regions. We evaluate how economic impacts differ among households and regions to capture affordability and equity implications. Our sensitivity analyses test how social and economic impacts respond to varying hydrologic, economic, and policy conditions.
By combining rigorous economic modeling with transparent, defensible assumptions, WestWater delivers clear, decision-ready insights that help clients balance efficiency, equity, and resilience in water management.
Our approaches include:
These tools evaluate the efficiency and equity of proposed investments and policies. We assess both directly observable impacts, where relevant market data are available, and indirect non-market impacts, using revealed-preference approaches or survey-based stated-preference methods.
Our economic impact analysis captures the direct, indirect, and induced effects of projects and policies on economic activity, employment, labor income, and tax revenues within and between regions. We evaluate how economic impacts differ among households and regions to capture affordability and equity implications. Our sensitivity analyses test how social and economic impacts respond to varying hydrologic, economic, and policy conditions.
By combining rigorous economic modeling with transparent, defensible assumptions, WestWater delivers clear, decision-ready insights that help clients balance efficiency, equity, and resilience in water management.
Our approaches include:
Cost-benefit analysis
Cost-effectiveness
analysis
Social and distribution impact analysis
Economic impact analysis
