Measurement of water quality at work: Looking for policy implications of contingent valuation method for water management (Korea)

Focusing on the upstream vs. downstream regional conflict of the Naktong River area in Korea, this study examined whether, how, and why people living in different regions have different levels of water quality measurement. This study conducted contingent valuation method that asked people how much they were willing to pay for water quality. This study concluded that the different interests vested in each region are the determinant in valuing water quality. Specifically, the upstream people with regional concern for economic development had much higher willingness to pay for water quality than the downstream people who had regional concern for environmental protection. Based on this analysis, this study explored some policy recommendations for regional-based cooperation mechanism for the water management in the river area. Three policy recommendations discussed were, coordinated river management, role of national government, and public participation in river management.