River Basin management: the optimal control of water quantity and quality. [Upper Santa Ana Watershed]

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:5548144

Opaluch, J J

The purpose of this study is to find the optimal method of achieving water quantity and quality standards in a dynamic framework. The study proceeds in two steps. In the first step the supply of pollution-disposal services is derived by minimizing the cost of achieving the standards with various quantities of pollution generated. An empirical study is then done to illustrate the methodology and to examine various policy questions. The model is applied to the Upper Santa Ana Watershed, which is located in Southern California. The net benefits to the Upper Watershed are estimated for salinity control of the Colorado River and the availability of the Peripheral Canal at various dates. In addition, construction of the Santa Ana Regional Interceptor and the constraints imposed on water flow from the Upper to the Lower Santa Ana Watershed are evaluated. Monte Carlo methods are used in order to evaluate the net benefits derived from incorporating an effluent charge into the pollution-control policy. In addition, the benefit derived from incorporating learning into the taxation policy as well as incorporating the use of centralized treatment facilities into a pure taxation scheme are evaluated. Finally, the results from the Upper Santa Ana Watershed are extrapolated to other affected river basins in order to evaluate the total benefits derived from the Peripheral Canal in a speculatory manner. The benefits derived from the use of the Peripheral Canal are tentatively estimated at $7.5 billion.

• OSTI ID: 5548144
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CALIFORNIA
CONTROL
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
MANAGEMENT
MONTE CARLO METHOD
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OPTIMIZATION
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
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RESOURCES
STANDARDS
TAXES
USA
WATER POLLUTION ABATEMENT
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
WATER QUALITY
WATER RESOURCES
WESTERN REGION