What is the Value of Knowing the Value of Water?

Abstract

This qualitative value of information study seeks to understand why decades worth of information on the economic and social values of clean water has yet to be incorporated into mainstream decision-making. I conducted interviews across private, non-profit, and state government organizations throughout Minnesota to understand how these institutions consider water value information and to discern the factors that determine its utility, relevance, and influence in diverse decision-contexts. I found that all sectors acknowledge the value of clean water, but that awareness of clean water value does not always lead to actions. Challenges with the accessibility, relevance, and credibility of water value information minimize its utility in decision-making; improved collaboration and communication between researchers and decision-makers will help address these barriers. My findings illuminate the shortcomings of economic valuation and highlight how future research can be more influential.