Article
Measuring the Value of Water Quality Improvements for Recreation Use on an Urban River in the USA: A Travel Cost Contingent Behavior Approach
University of Delaware Working Paper
(2023)
Abstract
We estimate the value of water quality improvements for recreational activities on and near the
Brandywine Creek in Delaware. We divide water-based recreational activities into two groups: water
contact and non-water-contact. We then consider the behavioral change of the recreationists in each group
when faced with water quality improvements posed in a stated preference (contingent behavior) survey.
We use five common physical attributes of water quality in the contingent behavior analysis: water
clarity, catch rate of fish, safety of eating fish, safety for swimming, and ecological health. The survey
was constructed in such a way that each of these attributes of water quality are valued. The per trip value
for water quality improvements ranged from $4 to $63 for contact use and from $4 to $29 for non-contact
use depending on which and how many attributes of water quality improve. Even though we measure
sizable benefits, rough cost estimates appear to make it difficult for incremental improvements to exceed
costs unless attribute improvement is widespread.
Keywords
- Travel Cost Model,
- Contingent Behavior,
- Water Quality,
- Urban River
Disciplines
Publication Date
Spring March 15, 2023
Citation Information
Joy Deep Chakrabartty and George Parsons. "Measuring the Value of Water Quality Improvements for Recreation Use on an Urban River in the USA: A Travel Cost Contingent Behavior Approach" University of Delaware Working Paper (2023) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/george_parsons/68/