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A Watershed Moment: The Clean Water Act and Birth Weight

Author

Listed:
  • Patrick Flynn
  • Michelle Marcus

Abstract

The Clean Water Act (CWA) significantly improved surface water quality, but at a cost exceeding the estimated benefits. We quantify the effect of the CWA on a direct measure of health. Using a difference-in-differences framework, we compare birth weight upstream and downstream from wastewater treatment facilities before and after CWA grant receipt. Pollution only decreased downstream from facilities required to upgrade their treatment technology, and we leverage this additional variation with a triple difference. Clean Water Act grants increased average birth weight by 8 grams.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick Flynn & Michelle Marcus, 2025. "A Watershed Moment: The Clean Water Act and Birth Weight," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 60(6), pages 1915-1936.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:60:y:2025:i:6:p:1915-1936
    Note: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.0622-12369R2
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    File URL: http://jhr.uwpress.org/cgi/reprint/60/6/1915
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    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. repec:ags:aaea22:335440 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Hill, Elaine L. & Ma, Lala, 2022. "Drinking water, fracking, and infant health," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    4. Da Mata, Daniel & Emanuel, Lucas & Pereira, Vitor & Sampaio, Breno, 2023. "Climate adaptation policies and infant health: Evidence from a water policy in Brazil," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    5. Kazuki Motohashi, 2023. "Unintended Consequences of Sanitation Investment: Negative Externalities on Water Quality and Health in India," ISER Discussion Paper 1210, Institute of Social and Economic Research, The University of Osaka.
    6. Ponce, Anthony, 2024. "Policy Spillovers to Biodiversity: The Impacts of Interventions for Water Quality on Bird Abundance," 2024 Annual Meeting, July 28-30, New Orleans, LA 343885, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    7. repec:ags:aaea22:343885 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Wang, Dongqin & Shen, Yanni, 2022. "Sanitation and work time: Evidence from the toilet revolution in rural China," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    9. Flynn, Patrick & Smith, Tucker, 2022. "Rivers, lakes and revenue streams: The heterogeneous effects of Clean Water Act grants on local spending," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    10. Karwowski, Nicole & Skidmore, Marin, 2023. "Nature’s Kidneys: the Role of the Wetland Reserve Program in Restoring Water Quality," 2023 Annual Meeting, July 23-25, Washington D.C. 335440, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    11. Claire Lepault, 2023. "Is urban wastewater treatment effective in India? Evidence from water quality and infant mortality," CIRED Working Papers hal-04232407, HAL.
    12. Lucas Cain & Danae Hernandez-Cortes & Christopher Timmins & Paige Weber, 2023. "Recent Findings and Methodologies in Economics Research in Environmental Justice," CESifo Working Paper Series 10283, CESifo.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health

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