Valuing Groundwater Quality in the Częstochowa Case Study (Poland)

Abstract

This paper presents results of the study on preferences of inhabitants of the Częstochowa Region in Poland in the field of groundwater protection. The choice experiment (CE) method was applied, and willingness to pay (WTP) for improving groundwater quality through the development of sewerage systems was assessed. The results indicate that there is substantial WTP for water quality improvements. Households are willing to pay 18.25 PLN (4.43 EUR) per month to remain pollution at the maximum safe level according to EU regulations (reducing nitrate concentration in groundwater to 50 mg∙L-1). Our results add to the expanding literature on the valuation of water resources and can be useful in analysis of investment effectiveness, in the valuation of environmental costs and benefits related to improvement or deterioration of groundwater condition, and in the pricing policy debate in terms of fees and prices for water and water services.