A. Abramson and N. Becker (Israel)
Transboundary, stream restoration, contingent valuation, cost-benefit analysis
The Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) was implemented to determine the non-market benefits of the different stages of proposed restoration efforts of two ephemeral transboundary streams that are currently heavily influenced by municipal effluents. These benefits, together with market benefits associated with treated effluent, were compared with associated costs of wastewater treatment. The study found that optimal benefit is achieved when water is allowed to flow at a high quality in the northern watershed, whereas in the southern watershed, located in a more arid climate, demand for treated effluent by agriculture is such that maximal benefit from treated effluent is procured when water is diverted for agricultural use. It is likely, however, that optimal benefit for each watershed is achieved from both instream flows and agricultural reuse. This study provides important insights into the dynamics between qualities of treated effluent, and leaves room for further study of quantities for each competing use.
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