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A Benefit‐Cost Analysis of Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation 1
Author(s) -
Borisova Tatiana,
Collins Alan,
D’Souza Gerard,
Benson Matthew,
Leigh Wolfe Mary,
Benham Brian
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2008.00216.x
Subject(s) - total maximum daily load , environmental science , contingent valuation , water quality , watershed , pollution , cost–benefit analysis , water pollution , hydrology (agriculture) , valuation (finance) , water resource management , environmental engineering , computer science , willingness to pay , business , economics , engineering , ecology , geotechnical engineering , finance , machine learning , biology , microeconomics
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) implementation generates benefits and costs from water quality improvements, which are rarely quantified. This analysis examines a TMDL written to address bacteria and aquatic‐life‐use impairments on Abrams and Opequon Creeks in Virginia. Benefits were estimated using a contingent valuation survey of local residents. Costs were based on the number and type of best management practices (BMPs) necessary to achieve TMDL pollution reduction goals. BMPs were quantified using watershed‐scale water quality simulation models (Generalized Watershed Loading Function and Hydrological Simulation Program‐FORTRAN). Based on our projections, the costs to achieve TMDL induced pollution reduction goals outweigh the estimated benefits. Benefit‐cost ratios ranged between 0.1 and 0.3.