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Assessing the value of surface water and groundwater quality improvements when time lags and outcome uncertainty exist: Results from a choice experiment survey across four different countries

Author

Listed:
  • Tobias Holmsgaard Larsen

    (Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen)

  • Thomas Lundhede

    (Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen)

  • Søren Bøye Olsen

    (Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen)

Abstract

This report summarizes the main results from a choice experiment survey addressing peoples’ willingness to pay (WTP) for improvements in surface water quality as well as groundwater quality. A particular novel focus is on estimating the extent to which WTP is impacted by the time lags and outcome uncertainties that commonly occur in practice when implementing new policies to improve water quality. The survey is conducted across four different case areas in four different countries, involving responses from more than 3000 respondents. Results generally confirm previous findings that people on average have quite high WTP for improvements in water quality, both in relation to surface water and groundwater. In addition, the results show that the WTPs reduce significantly with increasing time lags and outcome uncertainty in relation to the actual water quality improvements.

Suggested Citation

  • Tobias Holmsgaard Larsen & Thomas Lundhede & Søren Bøye Olsen, 2020. "Assessing the value of surface water and groundwater quality improvements when time lags and outcome uncertainty exist: Results from a choice experiment survey across four different countries," IFRO Working Paper 2020/12, University of Copenhagen, Department of Food and Resource Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:foi:wpaper:2020_12
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    Cited by:

    1. Tobias Holmsgaard Larsen & Thomas Lundhede & Søren Bøye Olsen & Brian H. Jacobsen, 2021. "Incorporating time lags and uncertainty in cost-benefit analysis of water quality improvements – a case study of Limfjorden, Denmark," IFRO Working Paper 2021/01, University of Copenhagen, Department of Food and Resource Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic Valuation; Choice Experiment; Water Quality; Outcome Uncertainty; Time Lags;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C83 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Survey Methods; Sampling Methods
    • D60 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - General
    • 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

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