A comparison of alternative strategies for cost-effective water quality management in lakes

Daniel Boyd Kramer; Stephen Polasky; Anthony Starfield; Brian Palik; Lynne Westphal; Stephanie Snyder; Pamela Jakes; Rachel Hudson; Eric Gustafson

doi:10.1007/s00267-005-0011-y

A comparison of alternative strategies for cost-effective water quality management in lakes

Daniel Boyd Kramer, Stephen Polasky, Anthony Starfield, Brian Palik, Lynne Westphal, Stephanie Snyder, Pamela Jakes, Rachel Hudson, Eric Gustafson

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Roughly 45% of the assessed lakes in the United States are impaired for one or more reasons. Eutrophication due to excess phosphorus loading is common in many impaired lakes. Various strategies are available to lake residents for addressing declining lake water quality, including septic system upgrades and establishing riparian buffers. This study examines 25 lakes to determine whether septic upgrades or riparian buffers are a more cost-effective strategy to meet a phosphorus reduction target. We find that riparian buffers are the more cost-effective strategy in every case but one. Large transaction costs associated with the negotiation and monitoring of riparian buffers, however, may be prohibiting lake residents from implementing the most cost-effective strategy.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	411-425
Number of pages	15
Journal	Environmental management
Volume	38
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-005-0011-y
State	Published - Sep 2006

Keywords

Cost effectiveness
Riparian buffers
Septic systems
Water quality

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1007/s00267-005-0011-y

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abstract = "Roughly 45% of the assessed lakes in the United States are impaired for one or more reasons. Eutrophication due to excess phosphorus loading is common in many impaired lakes. Various strategies are available to lake residents for addressing declining lake water quality, including septic system upgrades and establishing riparian buffers. This study examines 25 lakes to determine whether septic upgrades or riparian buffers are a more cost-effective strategy to meet a phosphorus reduction target. We find that riparian buffers are the more cost-effective strategy in every case but one. Large transaction costs associated with the negotiation and monitoring of riparian buffers, however, may be prohibiting lake residents from implementing the most cost-effective strategy.",

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AU - Kramer, Daniel Boyd

AU - Polasky, Stephen

AU - Starfield, Anthony

AU - Palik, Brian

AU - Westphal, Lynne

AU - Snyder, Stephanie

AU - Jakes, Pamela

AU - Hudson, Rachel

AU - Gustafson, Eric

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AB - Roughly 45% of the assessed lakes in the United States are impaired for one or more reasons. Eutrophication due to excess phosphorus loading is common in many impaired lakes. Various strategies are available to lake residents for addressing declining lake water quality, including septic system upgrades and establishing riparian buffers. This study examines 25 lakes to determine whether septic upgrades or riparian buffers are a more cost-effective strategy to meet a phosphorus reduction target. We find that riparian buffers are the more cost-effective strategy in every case but one. Large transaction costs associated with the negotiation and monitoring of riparian buffers, however, may be prohibiting lake residents from implementing the most cost-effective strategy.

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KW - Riparian buffers

KW - Septic systems

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A comparison of alternative strategies for cost-effective water quality management in lakes

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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