Journal Facts

Journal
Journal of Environmental Systems
ISSN
0047-2433 (print) 1541-3802 (electronic)
Volume
16
Issue
1
Date
1/1/1986

Article Facts

Title
Estimating the Value of Improved Water Quality in an Urban River System
DOI
10.2190/RDE4-N1UM-2J2P-07UX
Authors
  • Kevin Croke
  • Robert Fabian
  • Gary Brenniman
Pages
13-24
Online Date
05/09/2002

Article Links

Estimating the Value of Improved Water Quality in an Urban River System

Kevin Croke
Robert Fabian
Gary Brenniman

DOI: 10.2190/RDE4-N1UM-2J2P-07UX

Abstract

Improved water quality in the rivers of the metropolitan area is one of the benefits that can be derived from controlling combined sewer overflow in older large cities. This article estimates the value that cleaner rivers would have to Chicago citizens, and thus measures an important component of value to which the Chicago Deep Tunnel project can be expected to contribute. In a contingent value survey, average annual household values ranging from about $30 to $50 were observed for various degrees of improvement. An important result is that from two-thirds to nine-tenths of these reflect the intrinsic value of the rivers-nonuse values related to the existence of clean rivers or the option to use them in the future. A comparison with similar published studies confirms the credibility of the results.

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