U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Valuation of Surface Water Quality Improvements

Griffiths, Charles; Klemick, Heather; Massey, Matt; Moore, Chris; Newbold, Steve; Simpson, David; Walsh, Patrick J.; Wheeler, William J.

doi:10.1093/reep/rer025

Cited by 117 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Variable development was guided by theory and information available from primary studies and external data-10 WQIs combine information on multiple physical and chemical water quality parameters into a single index of water quality that is linked to the presence of aquatic species and suitability for different types of human use (Abbasi 2012;Van Houtven et al 2014). They are among the most common means to evaluate water quality changes for applied valuation and benefit transfer (Griffiths et al 2012). Additional details on the WQI and the use of the WQI in survey instruments are provided by McClelland (1974), Mitchell and Carson (1989, p. 342), and Vaughan (1986).…”

Section: Geospatial Analysis and Variablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Enhanced Geospatial Validity for Meta-analysis and Environmental Benefit Transfer: An Application to Water Quality Improvements

Johnston

Besedin

Stapler

2016

Environ Resource Econ

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Meta-regression models are commonly used within benefit transfer to estimate willingness to pay (WTP) for environmental quality improvements. Theory suggests that these estimates should be sensitive to geospatial factors including resource scale, market extent, and the availability of substitutes and complements. Valuation meta-regression models addressing the quantity of non-market commodities sometimes incorporate spatial variables that proxy for a subset of these effects. However, meta-analyses of WTP for environmental quality generally omit geospatial factors such as these, leading to benefit transfers that are invariant to these factors. This paper reports on a meta-regression model for water quality benefit transfer that incorporates spatially explicit factors predicted by theory to influence WTP. The metadata are drawn from stated preference studies that estimate per household WTP for water quality changes in United States water bodies, and combine primary study information with extensive geospatial data from external sources. Results find that geospatial variables are associated with significant WTP variations as predicted by theory, and that inclusion of these variables reduces transfer errors.

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Section: Geospatial Analysis and Variablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In contrast, spatial variables such as these are generally absent from meta-regression models addressing WTP for environmental quality change. It is often these quality-related meta-regression models that are most applied for benefit transfer (Griffiths et al 2012;US EPA 2009, 2012.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhanced Geospatial Validity for Meta-analysis and Environmental Benefit Transfer: An Application to Water Quality Improvements

Johnston

Besedin

Stapler

2016

Environ Resource Econ

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“…Previous work has made progress in identifying sources of water quality value and in developing nonmarket approaches to valuation, but most water quality valuation tools fall short of the needs and expectations of decision makers (3). First, few water quality valuation assessments account for the multiple costs and/ or benefits of water quality-related changes.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, valuation methods typically generate estimates of value held by people today given current conditions and not a dynamic assessment of values of changes in the flow of ecosystem services through time. Reviews of economic approaches to water quality valuation are provided by Wilson and Carpenter (19), Brauman et al (20), Olmstead (21), and Griffiths et al (3).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Linking water quality and well-being for improved assessment and valuation of ecosystem services

Keeler¹,

Polasky

Brauman³

et al. 2012

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

418

258

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Despite broad recognition of the value of the goods and services provided by nature, existing tools for assessing and valuing ecosystem services often fall short of the needs and expectations of decision makers. Here we address one of the most important missing components in the current ecosystem services toolbox: a comprehensive and generalizable framework for describing and valuing water quality-related services. Water quality is often misrepresented as a final ecosystem service. We argue that it is actually an important contributor to many different services, from recreation to human health. We present a valuation approach for water quality-related services that is sensitive to different actions that affect water quality, identifies aquatic endpoints where the consequences of changing water quality on human well-being are realized, and recognizes the unique groups of beneficiaries affected by those changes. We describe the multiple biophysical and economic pathways that link actions to changes in water qualityrelated ecosystem goods and services and provide guidance to researchers interested in valuing these changes. Finally, we present a valuation template that integrates biophysical and economic models, links actions to changes in service provision and value estimates, and considers multiple sources of water quality-related ecosystem service values without double counting. O ne of the fundamental challenges of mainstreaming ecosystem services into decision making involves linking ecosystem processes with changes in human well-being (1). This is especially true for water quality-related ecosystem goods and services. Water quality is highly valued by the public, and information on water quality values is increasingly demanded by decision makers. However, there is no generalizable framework for linking changes in water quality to changes in multiple ecosystem goods and services. This is problematic because limiting ecosystem service assessments to those services with direct use value and market prices systematically undervalues ecosystem services and fails to achieve a full accounting of all of the environmental and economic tradeoffs associated with decisions.Valuing water quality changes is particularly challenging relative to other ecosystem goods and services. Changing water quality affects many aspects of human well-being, and benefits and/or costs accrue to different groups of beneficiaries at varying spatial and temporal scales. This complexity contrasts with other ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, for which emissions are aggregated into a global atmospheric pool. Each unit increase in carbon emissions results in a more or less constant loss in value (i.e., costs associated with climate change). By contrast, each unit improvement in water quality may affect only a local area, the value of which varies widely with spatial context and may have strongly diminishing marginal benefits (e.g., additional reductions in nutrient pollution entering a clean lake generate minimal new benefits, and t...

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“…A contaminação das águas superficiais e subterrâneas tem severas implicações para a saúde humana, sendo considerado um caso de calamidade pública mundial (GRIFFITHS et al, 2012;GULER et al, 2012). Segundo a Organização Mundial da Saúde, até 2015, cerca de 605 milhões de pessoas não terão água de qualidade e 2,4 bilhões consumirão água inadequada.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Análise química e bacteriológica da água de irrigação utilizada na Comunidade Agrícola Nova Esperança, Manaus - AM.

2012

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Resumo -A avaliação da qualidade da água utilizada para a irrigação no meio agrícola é relevante tanto para o meio ambiente, quanto para a saúde humana. O uso contínuo de água contaminada acarreta poluição ao solo e às culturas cultivadas, transmitindo doenças por meio do consumo de hortaliças contaminadas. Desse modo, objetivou-se com esse trabalho avaliar a qualidade da água de irrigação de três corpos hídricos: poço, cacimba e igarapé, utilizada na Comunidade Agrícola Nova Esperança, localizada entre uma área urbana periférica e uma floresta nativa na cidade de Manaus -AM. Foram avaliados os metais potencialmente tóxicos (MPT): Cd, Cu, Co, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb e Zn, utilizando espectrometria de absorção atômica por chama e medidas bacteriológicas (coliformes totais e fecais) pelo método de membrana filtrante. Os resultados indicam altos índices de coliformes totais e fecais, 89,3% nas amostras de água coletadas nos três corpos hídricos: poço, cacimba e igarapé da área de estudo, assim como elevados níveis de MPT, com destaque para Cd e Pb extremamente tóxicos. Os testes estatísticos mostraram que há influência do período sazonal sobre as concentrações médias dos MPT e que não existem diferenças significativas destes contaminantes, entre os diferentes corpos hídricos, durante todo o período estudado. Palavras-chaves -Coliformes. Contaminação. Metais pesados.Abstract -The evaluation of the quality of the water used for irrigation in agriculture is of great importance for the environment and human health. The continuous use of contaminated water causes pollution to soil and cultivated crops, causing various diseases associated with consumption of contaminated vegetables. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of irrigation water of three water bodies: artesian wells, cacimbas (kind of graves that collect water from swampy lands) and streams, used in the Nova Esperança Agricultural Community, located between a peripheral urban area and a native forest in Manaus -AM. Potentially toxic metals (PTM): Cd, Cu, Co, Fe, Ni, Mn and Zn were evaluated using atomic absorption spectrometry by flame and bacteriological analyses (total and faecal coliforms) by filter membrane method. The results showed high levels of total and faecal coliforms, 89,3% in water samples collected in the three water bodies, as well as high levels of TPM, especially Cd and Pb extremely toxic. Statistical tests showed the influence of the seasonal period on the average concentrations of the PTM and there is not meaning difference of these contaminants on the different water bodies during the period of this study.

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Valuation of Surface Water Quality Improvements

Cited by 117 publications

References 18 publications

Enhanced Geospatial Validity for Meta-analysis and Environmental Benefit Transfer: An Application to Water Quality Improvements

Enhanced Geospatial Validity for Meta-analysis and Environmental Benefit Transfer: An Application to Water Quality Improvements

Linking water quality and well-being for improved assessment and valuation of ecosystem services

Análise química e bacteriológica da água de irrigação utilizada na Comunidade Agrícola Nova Esperança, Manaus - AM.

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