BEECHER - NAWC

Water ComparedIndustries ComparedTable 2-2 (continued)Utility SectorTrait Telecommunications Electricity Natural Gas WaterPhysical Artificial and uses a Artificial and uses Product of nature Product of nature,properties of the range of inputs. non-renewable and nonrenewable heavy in weight, aresource and resources for (for practical universal solvent,renewability production. purposes). fugitive in time andspace, locallyrenewable but fmite; avalue-addedcommodity.Storage No. Service on No. Service on Underground Raw water (used todemand. demand. storage facilities. meet long-termdemand) and treatedwater storage (used tomeet peak demand).Resource flows All related to All inputs related All inputs related Complex resourceand competition communications. to energy to energy flows, where publicfor inputs production. production. supply must competewith other instreamand offstrearn uses.Reliability and Customer service Can be used to Can be used to Reliability is a highinterruption issue. differentiate differentiate priority andservices and prices. services and prices interruption generally(contracts). is not tolerated forhealth and safetyreasons.Product Much differentiation Little Little Quality varies, butdifferentiation in terms of an differentiation from differentiation from tolerance forincreasing variety of an energy-unit an energy-unit differentiationproducts. (therrn) (kWh) (especially for healthI oersoective. I oersoective). orotection) is low.Quality control Service quality is Some standards. Some standards. Treatment is highlyand standards Increasingly market- regulated by federalbased.and state drinkingwater standards.Tangibility and No. No. Somewhat. Tangible. Only utilityconsumptionresource consumersphysically ingest; onlya portion is actuallyconsumed.Substitution Yes. Various Some fuel Fuel switching, and No substitutes fortechnologies and switching, and alternative energy. water, only for theconsiderable alternative energy. method of delivery;consumer choice.considered highlyessential.Source: Author's construct.NAWC 9 September 1998