Economics of Water Supply and Household Behavior: the Transition from Self-Supply to Centralized Systems
https://doi.org/10.47703/ejebs.v69i2.503
Abstract
Access to clean and safe water remains a critical determinant of public health, quality of life, and socio-economic resilience, particularly in emerging economies with unequal infrastructure development. This study aims to identify the key factors that determine consumer behaviour in the water supply sector, taking into account water quality and the level of infrastructure coverage from 2013 to 2023. The research integrates behavioral, infrastructural, and environmental dimensions to understand how access to water infrastructure and source quality influence consumption patterns. Using a mixed-method design, the study combines streamgraph visualization, correlation matrix analysis, and multiple linear regression modeling based on five indicators: quality of centralized water (DW_C), groundwater (DW_G), population connected to centralized systems (AC_P), per capita consumption (WC_PC), and the self-supply population (SA_NP). The results reveal a strong positive correlation between access to centralized systems and per capita water consumption (r = 0.901, p < 0.001). At the same time, higher groundwater contamination is associated with greater reliance on self-supply (r = –0.824, p = 0.002). The regression model confirms the significant influence of centralized water quality (β = –0.2679, p = 0.023) and consumption behavior (β = –0.1506, p = 0.087) on reducing the prevalence of self-supply. Visual analysis via Arc Diagrams reveals structural links between infrastructural expansion and behavioral change, suggesting that improved access and sanitary standards influence household preferences. The results highlighted the importance of targeted investments and effective governance mechanisms in reducing dependence on unsafe self-supply, particularly in Kazakhstan's regional disparities, especially in rural areas.
About the Authors
Askar Adamov
Karaganda University of Kazpotrebsoyuz, Karaganda, Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
PhD student, Email: askar.adamov@bk.ru
Aybota Rakhmetova
Center for Research, Analysis and Evaluation of Effectiveness, Astana, Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Doc. Sc. (Econ.), Professor, Email: aibota@mail.ru
Ainur Sugurova
ALT University named after Mukhamedzhan Tynyshpayev, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Cand. Sc. (Econ.), Assistant Professor, Email: a.sugurova@mail.ru
Gulnara Tuleshova
Zhetysu University named after I. Zhansugurov, Тaldykorgan, Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Cand. Sc. (Econ.), Email: tuleshova_04@mail.ru
Raushan Azbergenova
Kazakh National Pedagogical University named after Abay, Institute Sorbonne-Kazakhstan, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Cand. Sc. (Econ.), Associate Professor, Email: azbergenova@bk.ru
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For citations:
Adamov A., Rakhmetova A., Sugurova A., Tuleshova G., Azbergenova R. Economics of Water Supply and Household Behavior: the Transition from Self-Supply to Centralized Systems. Eurasian Journal of Economic and Business Studies. 2025;69(2):128–140. https://doi.org/10.47703/ejebs.v69i2.503
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