Saving Water with a Nudge (or Two): Evidence from Costa Rica on the Effectiveness and Limits of Low-Cost Behavioral Interventions on Water Use

B-Tier
Journal: World Bank Economic Review
Year: 2020
Volume: 34
Issue: 2
Pages: 444-463

Authors (3)

Juan Jose Miranda (World Bank Group) Saugato Datta (not in RePEc) Laura Zoratto (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

The study uses a randomized controlled trial to test the impact of simple, inexpensive, and nonpersonalized behavioral interventions (or “nudges”) on water consumption in the context of a developing country. A descriptive social norm intervention using neighborhood comparisons reduces average water consumption in the first two postintervention months by 4.9 percent relative to the control group, while a planning postcard intervention reduces consumption by 4.8 percent. A descriptive social norm intervention using a town-level comparison also reduces water consumption by 3.2 percent, but this effect is not statistically significant. Finally, the study's one-time interventions continue to generate statistically significant reductions in water use for up to four months after they are implemented.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:wbecrv:v:34:y:2020:i:2:p:444-463.
Journal Field
Development
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-26