How are the economic values of water and water quality accounted for in policy and project appraisal? This important book gives an overview of the state-of-the-art in Cost–Benefit Analysis (CBA) in water resources management throughout Europe and North America, along with an examination of current applications.

Contents: 1. Introduction R. Brouwer and D.W. Pearce 2. Economic Criteria for Water Allocation and Valuation R.A. Young 3. Water as an Economic Good J. Briscoe 4. Appraising Flood Control Investments in the UK D.W. Pearce and R. Smale 5. Cost–benefit Analysis and Flood Control Policy in the Netherlands R. Brouwer and J.M. Kind 6. Cost–benefit Analysis of River Restoration in Denmark A. Dubgaard, M.F. Kallesøe, J. Ladenburg and M.L. Petersen 7. Cost–benefit Analysis and Complex River Basin Management in the Stockholm Archipelago in Sweden P. Frykblom, H. Scharin, T. Söderqvist and A. Helgesson 8. The Costs and Benefits of Implementing the European Urban Waste Water Directive in Greece A. Kontogianni, M. Skourtos, B. Zanou and I.H. Langford 9. Cost–benefit Analysis of the Remedial Action Plan to Improve Water Quality in the Great Lakes in Canada D.P. Dupont and S. Renzetti 10. Benefit–cost Analysis of Regulations Affecting Surface Water Quality in the United States C. Griffiths and W. Wheeler 11. The Costs and Benefits of a Revised European Bathing Water Directive in the Netherlands R. Brouwer and R. Bronda 12. Cost–benefit Analysis of Improved Bathing Water Quality in the United Kingdom as a Result of a Revision of the European Bathing Water Directive S. Georgiou, I.J. Bateman and I.H. Langford 13. Cost–benefit Analysis of Large-Scale Groundwater Remediation in France J.-D. Rinaudo and S. Loubier 14. Cost–benefit Analysis and Efficient Water Allocation in Cyprus B. Groom, P. Koundouri and T. Swanson 15. Cost–benefit Analysis, Water Scarcity and Sustainable Water Use in Spain J. Maestu, P. Campos-Palacín and J. López-Linage 16. Cost–benefit Analysis of Urban Water Supply in Mexico City G. Soto Montes de Oca and I.J. Bateman Index

'Water is not just H2O, but has a socioeconomic value for many use and non-use purposes. This volume contains a varied set of very interesting evaluation studies on water resources management. The editors have served the scientific community and relevant policy bodies with a balanced collection of operational contributions to a solid cost-benefit perspective on water management. This book is certainly an eye-opener for anyone interested in the significance of cost-benefit analysis for water policy issues.'