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The economic value of water quality

Publication ,  Journal Article
Viscusi, WK; Huber, J; Bell, J
Published in: Environmental and Resource Economics
January 1, 2008

Stated preference values for water quality ratings based on the US Environmental Protection Agency National Water Quality Inventory ratings provide an operational basis for benefit assessment. Iterative choice survey results for a very large, nationally representative, Web-based panel imply an average valuation of $32 for each percent increase in lakes and rivers in the region for which water quality is rated "Good." Valuations are skewed, with the mean value more than double the median. Sources of heterogeneity in benefit values include differences in responses to average water quality information and the base level of water quality. Conjoint estimates are somewhat lower than the iterative choice values. The annual economic value of the decline in inland US water quality from 1994 to 2000 is over $20 billion. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

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Published In

Environmental and Resource Economics

DOI

ISSN

0924-6460

Publication Date

January 1, 2008

Volume

41

Issue

2

Start / End Page

169 / 187

Related Subject Headings

  • Agricultural Economics & Policy
  • 1499 Other Economics
  • 1402 Applied Economics
  • 0502 Environmental Science and Management
 

Citation

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Viscusi, W. K., Huber, J., & Bell, J. (2008). The economic value of water quality. Environmental and Resource Economics, 41(2), 169–187. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10640-007-9186-4
Viscusi, W. K., J. Huber, and J. Bell. “The economic value of water quality.” Environmental and Resource Economics 41, no. 2 (January 1, 2008): 169–87. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10640-007-9186-4.
Viscusi WK, Huber J, Bell J. The economic value of water quality. Environmental and Resource Economics. 2008 Jan 1;41(2):169–87.
Viscusi, W. K., et al. “The economic value of water quality.” Environmental and Resource Economics, vol. 41, no. 2, Jan. 2008, pp. 169–87. Scopus, doi:10.1007/s10640-007-9186-4.
Viscusi WK, Huber J, Bell J. The economic value of water quality. Environmental and Resource Economics. 2008 Jan 1;41(2):169–187.
Journal cover image

Published In

Environmental and Resource Economics

DOI

ISSN

0924-6460

Publication Date

January 1, 2008

Volume

41

Issue

2

Start / End Page

169 / 187

Related Subject Headings

  • Agricultural Economics & Policy
  • 1499 Other Economics
  • 1402 Applied Economics
  • 0502 Environmental Science and Management