An economic evaluation of nitrate in groundwater

ISBN-13: 9783838315652 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 104 str.

Lyttle-N'Guessan, Carmen

Opis

Public concerns regarding the potential nitrate pollution of groundwater, and the subsequent health and environmental risks have created a demand for public policies to more closely examine and monitor water quality. Assigning costs to environmental disamenities(e.g. nitrate-polluted water) or benefits to environmental amenities(nitrate-reduced water) becomes important (and may serve as a more effective method) in determining(assessing) the health risks of nitrate in groundwater. One approach is to elicit peoples willingness to pay(WTP) to avoid nitrate-polluted water. Contingent valuation(CV) is one method that may be used to estimate WTP. This work examines a persons willingness to pay(WTP) for nitrate-reduced drinking water through assigning personal value on the amenity. From this, the estimate cost of nitrate pollution to consumers of groundwater is derived. One concern is the sensitivity of WTP(due to peoples perception) to the institutional basis of the method of payment; therefore, the study examined this influence on peoples WTP response. It may also serve as a tool/guide for policymakers and CV practitioners in survey instrument administration and implementation.

O autorze

Carmen J. Lyttle-N guessan, M.Ed., M.S., B.S. Studied Agricultural Sciences in Agribusiness/ Agricultural Economics, and Technology Education at Florida A&M University. I also studied Agribusiness/Agricultural Economics at Louisiana State University. Coordinator of Veterinary Services at Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida