The Economic Value of Water Quality (New Horizons in Environmental Economics series) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1840640472 ISBN 13: 9781840640472

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2002

Synopsis

The authors of this in-depth study describe the theory and techniques that can be applied to the specific case of valuing potable drinking water provided by ground water supplies. The theory and techniques can be extended to valuing potable drinking water provided by surface water supplies, and also to valuing alternative levels of water quality.

The theory and case studies discussed in the book suggest that important determinants of the economic value of water quality include the probability of contamination measured objectively and subjectively, information on actual levels of contamination in household water supplies, socioeconomic characteristics of households and the extent to which the values of water quality people hold include non-use components. The case study results also suggest that empirical valuation results are sensitive to study design effects such as the particular statistical technique used to estimate mean or median values. These results suggest that estimating water quality values using benefits transfer techniques is problematic, but perhaps feasible with improved data and valuation models.

Government agencies, private consulting firms and NGOs involved in water quality policy, as well as academic researchers, professors and students will find this volume of theory, application and technique an invaluable text, guide and reference.

About this title

About the Author

Edited by John C. Bergstrom, The University of Georgia, Athens, US, Kevin J. Boyle, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, US and Gregory L. Poe, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, US and Visiting Fellow, Jackson Environmental Institute (JEI) and Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment (CSERGE), University of East Anglia, UK

Review

`. . . the book is of immediate policy significance. Those developing ground water management strategies in the USA will find the value estimates useful.' -- Jeff Bennett, Australian Journal of Environmental Management

Edition details

• Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1840640472
• ISBN 13: 9781840640472
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 192
• Editor: Bergstrom John C., Boyle Kevin J., Poe Gregory L.