The Economics Of Groundwater Remediation And Protection

Economic literature is often too theoretical for engineers and policymakers to put into practical use, while scientific literature on the remediation of contaminated aquifers rarely considers costs and benefits. Written by a hydrogeologist and an economist, The Economics of Groundwater Remediation and Protection integrates economics and cost-benefit analysis tools with optimal protection and remediation strategies for groundwater resources. The book provides a thorough introduction of the concepts of groundwater flow and contaminant transport, and the basics of economic decision making techniques. It illustrates the types of risks and impacts caused by groundwater contamination, and the economic benefits of its remediation. The volume reviews a wide range of issues such as cost, implementation, and expectations of success for the latest remediation trends and techniques. The book shows how economic analysis can be used to determine how much we should pay for groundwater clean-up, and when spending too much - or too little - actually makes us all worse-off. The authors' step-by-step methodology for decision-making focuses on determining optimal remedial objectives, from containment to extensive cleanup, and the selection of least-cost alternatives. They use examples from their personal experience to illustrate the methodologies in action and put the issues into perspective. Combining the theoretical and practical aspects of science, policy, and economics, this book places the importance of groundwater remediation in the context of environmental economics, protection, and preservation. The Economics of Groundwater Remediation and Protection is also an excellent introduction to innovative solutions for funding remediation projects, education, and incentive programs, such as mitigation banking, land pollution credit schemes, and conservation credit alternatives.

From the western United States to the Indian subcontinent, water issues have always been economic issues. Considered ubiquitous under the continents, groundwater varies considerably in depth, quality, accessibility, and availability. A unified discussion of groundwater and its economic importance, Groundwater Economics explores the application of e

Because water in the United State has not been traded in markets, there is no meaningful estimate of what it would cost if it were traded. But failing to establish ground water's valueâ€"for in situ uses such as sustaining wetlands as well as for extractive uses such as agricultureâ€"will lead to continued overuse and degradation of the nation's aquifers. In Valuing Ground Water an interdisciplinary committee integrates the latest economic, legal, and physical knowledge about ground water and methods for valuing this resource, making it comprehensible to decision-makers involved in Superfund cleanup efforts, local wellhead protection programs, water allocation, and other water-related management issues. Using the concept of total economic value, this volume provides a framework for calculating the economic value of ground water and evaluating tradeoffs between competing uses of it. Included are seven case studies where ground-water valuation has been or could be used in decisionmaking. The committee examines trends in ground-water management, factors that contribute to its value, and issues surrounding ground-water allocation and legal rights to its use. The book discusses economic valuation of natural resources and reviews several valuation methods. Presenting conclusions, recommendations, and research priorities, Valuing Ground Water will be of interest to those concerned about ground-water issues: policymakers, regulators, economists, attorneys, researchers, resource managers, and environmental advocates.

This report presents an analysis of the cost of using permeable reactive barriers to remediate contaminated ground water. When possible, these costs are compared with the cost of pump-and-treat technology for similar situations. Permeable reactive barriers are no longer perceived as an innovative remediation technology but are rapidly maturing and may be considered as a standard remediation technology, similar to pump-and-treat. PRB cost information was obtained from a variety of sources, including reports, surveys, and interviews. Costs were broken out into four general categories: site characterization, design, construction, and operation and maintenance. Subcategories within these four further detailed the costs.

Includes a new chaper on sustainable groundwater management and all chapters are updated with a focus on sustainability Comprehensively explains the economic value of groundwater for sustainable use and needs, with practical examples Includes 13 new and updated case studies on economics of groundwater data for decisionmaking Addresses local and regional groundwater economic choices through a series of applications at an international level Written for professionals who need to understand and evaluate water resources and manage their use from a variety of sustainable approches

The competition for groundwater sources as a water supply reinforces the need for a strong economic rationale in decision-making. Evaluating economic decisions in the context of total water management and life-cycle water use is essential to making critical development and remediation choices. This revised volume provides fundamental economic and policy concepts related to groundwater, discusses important factors in life-cycle cost-benefit evaluation and explains triple-bottom-line analysis for different groundwater projects. It includes new and updated case studies on groundwater issues with solutions for a range of situations based on economic data. FEATURES OF THIS VOLUME Provides an understanding for the fundamental economic approaches to groundwater policy and project evaluation Incorporates life-cycle cost-benefit approaches in a triple-bottom-line framework Includes new case studies on the economics of health protection, managed aquifer recharge, local versus regional supply and strategic life-cycle analysis Addresses local and regional groundwater economic choices through a series of practical applications Explores transboundary, international, climate change and macroeconomic factors influencing groundwater project and program decisions Cost-Benefit Analysis of Groundwater Policy and Projects, with Case Studies, Second Edition, the second volume of the two-volume set Groundwater Economics, is a must-have for any professional or student who needs to understand and evaluate water resources and manage their use from a variety of sustainable approaches.