关键词: 干旱区, 水资源, 价格, 边际机会成本

Abstract: In order to resolve the problem of rational use of water resource in arid area, we must determine rational water price system, make effective water price policy and embody water resource high value. In the arid area, because of the regional differences in distribution and utilization of water resource and the fragility of ecological environment, the policy of water price must embody economic level, benefit of owner, reasonable distribution among the upper, middle and lower reaches of a river, rational distribution between economic development and environmental protection and flexibility in space, time and water quality.This article analyses the factor of water resource cost and makes an inquiry into the water price from the aspect of marginal opportunity cost. We consider the price of water resource is determined by the marginal opportunity cost. The price that user must pay should equal to the cost which is imposed on the society because of the resource utilization and consumption.

Key words: arid area, water resource, price, marginal opportunity cost