Estimating the value of improved wastewater treatment: The case of River Ganga, India

Birol, E. and Das , S. (2010) Estimating the value of improved wastewater treatment: The case of River Ganga, India. Journal of Environmental Management, 91 (11). pp. 2163-2171.

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Abstract

In this paper we employ a stated preference environmental valuation technique, namely the choice experiment method, to estimate local public’s willingness to pay (WTP) for improvements in the capacity and technology of a sewage treatment plant (STP) in Chandernagore municipality, located on the banks of the River Ganga in India. A pilot choice experiment study is administered to 150 randomly selected Chandernagore residents and the data are analysed using the conditional logit model with interactions. The results reveal that residents of this municipality are willing to pay significant amounts in terms of higher monthly municipality taxes to ensure the full capacity of the STP is used for primary treatment and the technology is upgraded to enable secondary treatment. Overall, the results reported in this paper support increased investments to improve the capacity and technology of STPs to reduce water pollution, and hence environmental and health risks that are currently threatening the sustainability of the economic, cultural and religious values this sacred river generates.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Choice experiment method; Conditional logit model; River Ganga; Sewage treatment plant; Water quality; Water quantity
Author Affiliation: International Food Policy Research Institute, 2033 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006-1002, USA
Subjects: Statistics and Experimentation
Environmental Science
Divisions: General
Depositing User: Mr Balakrishna Garadasu
Date Deposited: 25 May 2013 13:19
Last Modified: 25 May 2013 13:19
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.05.008
URI: http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/10576

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