Groundwater Economics

A unified discussion of groundwater and its economic importance, this book explores cost/benefit analysis and approaches for the different aspects of use, protection, and remediation. It examines the development of the legal basis for use and access rights, then addresses drinking water, irrigation, and efficient waste disposal. The author considers micro- and macro-economic factors, cost benefit tools, sustainability, and policy evaluation, ease of policy implementation, and societal acceptance. He synthesizes key points into practical steps for future application, describing ways to evaluate the economics of ground water use in the context of the larger ecosystem and its sustainability.

Introduction. An Introduction to the Economics of Ground Water. Context. Ground Water in the Ecosystem. Ground Water in the Economy. Ground Water Access and Supply: Wells, Springs and Green Management. Ground Water Law. Ground Water Consumption for Health and Food. Ground Water Treatment and Waste Disposal. Epilogue: Ground Water Flow, Supply, Habitat and Sink - Guided by Law (in many places), Used Based on Cost (and necessity). Economic Fundamentals. Microeconomics and Basic Economic Relationships. Cost, Benefit, Price and Value. Macroeconomics. Political-Economy of Ground Water Management. Ground Water Policy. Economic Analysis of Ground Water Policy. Cost-Benefit Information and Assessment. Ground Water Sustainable in Space and Time. Sustainable Development. Transboundary, International, and Climate Change Considerations. Ground Water in the Future Balance. Case Studies.