Spatiotemporal Affordability Evaluation of Water Services in China: A Functional Cost‐Price Model

Abstract Affordability of water services is an important part of the UN's sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially for a highly populated, developing country such as China. Previous studies have mainly focussed on unique index systems, from different perspectives for water affordability evaluation, while large‐scale studies at a national level are rare, and the understanding of water affordability is still not complete and scientific. In this study, a functional cost‐price model coupled with assessment index system and comprehensive evaluation method is developed for the description and assessment of water affordability degree (WAD) in China. The assessment index system integrates a cost‐price perspective of water affordability into a general model by incorporating 20 indicators belonging to six dimensions, including cost affordability of water pollution control, flood control and drought relief, soil and water conservation, and price affordability of irrigation water, residential water, and production water. This study obtains the spatiotemporal characteristics and the list of serious problems of water affordability in China, then discusses the regulatory focus of the water conservancy industry and the water pricing methods, so as to provide a reference for the national policy formulation of sustainable water management.