Economic & Policy Expertise, Tailored to Your Water Sector Challenges

One Water Econ evaluates how projects, policies, and programs shape economic activity across sectors and regions. Our assessments trace the ripple effects of events—such as infrastructure investments, water service disruptions, or changes in water availability —on jobs, income, and output. We deliver insights that help our clients quantify tradeoffs, demonstrate value, and guide decision-making.

Water sector decisions often involve competing priorities—cost, environmental outcomes, equity, and performance—in data-limited contexts. One Water Econ multicriteria decision analysis and similar approaches to bring clarity and structure to complex choices. By integrating quantitative and qualitative inputs, we help agencies define criteria, weigh tradeoffs, and compare alternatives to guide investments, align stakeholders, and reflect broader public value.

At One Water Econ, we turn data-driven insights into actionable policy and program design—bridging the gap between technical findings and real-world implementation. Our team has developed stormwater and groundwater trading markets, evaluated affordability programs, crafted incentive programs for green infrastructure and onsite reuse, shaped state-level initiatives, and contributed to federal policy development..

Nature provides essential services that support human well-being and economic resilience. Yet these benefits are often undervalued and can be difficult to quantify. One Water Econ applies rigorous market and non-market valuation methods to quantify ecosystem services, making their contributions visible and actionable for planners, policymakers, and utilities. Our work helps clients build stronger cases for nature-based solutions, conservation programs, and integrated water management strategies.

Water policies and infrastructure investments affect community members in different ways. One Water Econ conducts socioeconomic and affordability analyses to evaluate how costs, benefits, and utility policies affect different households, neighborhoods, and demographic groups. We help agencies and utilities assess rate structures and assistance programs, identify vulnerable populations, and design programs that balance financial sustainability with community well-being.

One Water Econ designs and implements custom surveys to support economic analysis, policy development, and program evaluation. Our expertise includes surveys that assess customer behavior, affordability, and willingness to pay—providing critical inputs for benefit-cost analysis, rate design, and program implementation. We apply best practices in sampling, question design, and statistical analysis to ensure results are representative, defensible, and actionable.

Economic analyses, policy evaluation, and program design rely on the insights of those most affected. At One Water Econ, we engage stakeholders from the outset—through interviews, workshops, and continuous feedback—to ground every phase of our work in operational realities and community priorities. By making engagement a strategic imperative, we ensure our models and recommendations reflect lived experiences, technical realities, and equity concerns. This inclusive approach builds trust, surfaces diverse perspectives, and fosters shared ownership of economically sound, socially responsive solutions.