US Water Pollution Regulation over the Last Half Century: Burning Waters to Crystal Springs?

David A. Keiser and Joseph Shapiro

No 26077, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: In the half century since the founding of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, public and private U.S. sources have spent nearly $5 trillion ($2017) to provide clean rivers, lakes, and drinking water, or annual spending of 0.8 percent of U.S. GDP in most years. Yet over half of rivers and substantial shares of drinking water systems violate standards, and polls for decades have listed water pollution as Americans’ number one environmental concern. We assess the history, effectiveness, and efficiency of the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, and obtain four main conclusions. First, water pollution has fallen since these laws, in part due to their interventions. Second, investments made under these laws could be more cost-effective. Third, most recent studies estimate benefits of cleaning up pollution in rivers and lakes which are less than their costs, though these studies may under-count several potentially important types of benefits. Analysis finds more positive net benefits of drinking water quality investments. Fourth, economic research and teaching on water pollution is relatively uncommon, as measured by samples of publications, conference presentations, and textbooks.

JEL-codes: H23 K32 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-env and nep-his
Note: DAE EEE EH PE
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (25)

Published as David A. Keiser & Joseph S. Shapiro, 2019. "US Water Pollution Regulation over the Past Half Century: Burning Waters to Crystal Springs?," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 33(4), pages 51-75, Fall.

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Journal Article: US Water Pollution Regulation over the Past Half Century: Burning Waters to Crystal Springs? (2019)
Working Paper: US Water Pollution Regulation over the Last Half Century: Burning Waters to Crystal Springs? (2019)
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