Search the EPA Research Database

Project Search Result

Project Code [2011-W-DS-7]

This information is correct as of today and is updated from time to time by the EPA to reflect changes in the management of the project. Please check back regularly for updates.

Project title

Research on Public Attitudes towards Water resources

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Teagasc

Lead Applicant

Cathal O Donoghue

Project Abstract

In ensuring an optimal mix of policies, policymakers need to make decisions which are informed by the values and priorities which are expressed by the Irish public in relation to the desirable outcomes from the implementation of the WFD. Within this context, this study will develop an attitudinal based survey to establish the specific attributes of high quality water that are most relevant for Irish citizens. This survey will also establish the priority that the public, as a whole, place on preserving and improving resources of high quality water bodies as compared with other environmental objectives and establish the specific attributes of high quality water that are of most relevance for Irish citizens. These results would make it clear how high a priority water quality is for the public, and so inform policy discussion in this area. In addition, this project will determine the general publics� WTP for increasing the ecological quality of water sources from a good or moderate status to one of high quality. In doing so this study will also explore a number of methodological issues in relation to the calculation of WTP including the effect of distance decay for users and non-users, scope and ordering effects. Three reports will be presented to the EPA summarising the results from this research project. A workshop will also be organised to disseminate the research to interested parties. Building on the strong publication record of the research team, research conducted under this project will lead to a number of publications in peer reviewed journals. Members of the project team will also present the results from this research at a number of national and international conferences.

Grant Approved

�66,917.70

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

Governance Framework and Socio-Economic Considerations in Water Management

Start Date

01/01/2012

Initial Projected Completion Date

01/09/2012