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Research ArticleArticle

Water Works: The Economic Impact of Water Infrastructure

Robyn C. Meeks
Published online before print February 06, 2017, 0915-7408R1; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.52.4.0915-7408R1
Robyn C. Meeks
*Affiliation: Robyn C. Meeks is an assistant professor of environmental economics at the University of Michigan. Email: . Scholars can purchase the data used in this article from the Kyrgyz National Statistics Committee. The author is willing to advise on the process.
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Abstract

Billions of hours are spent each year on water collection in developing countries. This paper explores whether improvements in water technologies, which decrease household distance to drinking water source and the time intensity of home production, enable changes in household time allocation and, thereby, productivity gains in Kyrgyzstan. Adults reallocate time towards leisure and labor on the household farm. Average yearly household cereals production increased significantly. Results imply a rate of return to labor equaling $0.11/hour, approximately half the hourly farm wage. Absent evidence of improved adult health, results suggest that productivity gains were realized primarily through increased farm labor.

JEL:
  • J22
  • O13
  • O53
  • Q12
  • Q25.1

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Journal of Human Resources: 60 (3)
Journal of Human Resources
Vol. 60, Issue 3
1 May 2025
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Water Works: The Economic Impact of Water Infrastructure
Robyn C. Meeks
Journal of Human Resources Feb 2017, 0915-7408R1; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.52.4.0915-7408R1

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Water Works: The Economic Impact of Water Infrastructure
Robyn C. Meeks
Journal of Human Resources Feb 2017, 0915-7408R1; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.52.4.0915-7408R1
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Keywords

  • J22
  • O13
  • O53
  • Q12
  • Q25.1
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