Markets & Incentives

Market-based solutions offer powerful tools for addressing water resource challenges by aligning economic incentives with environmental and equity goals. One Water Econ helps utilities and agencies apply these approaches to improve water efficiency, reduce financial costs, and expand community benefits. Our work includes designing equitable incentive programs that encourage households and the private sector to adopt green infrastructure, implement onsite water reuse, and transition to water-efficient landscapes. We’ve developed groundwater trading frameworks for agricultural growers facing supply constraints, and stormwater credit trading programs that promote more equitable distribution of green infrastructure across communities.

• Incentive Program Analysis & Design

   Incentive programs can unlock cost-effective, high-impact solutions by motivating private sector action. One Water Econ conducts benefit-cost, program evaluation, and socioeconomic analyses to understand what drives participation—helping utilities and municipalities design programs that are both effective and equitable. We build the business case for incentives that reduce utility costs and ratepayer burdens while advancing outcomes in water supply, stormwater management, and clean water services.

• Water Resource Markets & Trading Programs

  One Water Econ partners with local agencies to design water resource markets that improve efficiency, equity, and environmental outcomes. Our work includes developing stormwater credit trading programs that incentivize green stormwater infrastructure and expand its distribution across underserved communities and groundwater trading frameworks that help agricultural growers adapt to declining water availability. We apply economic principles to create transparent, data-driven market mechanisms that align public goals with private action.