ecological-economic context

Lake Erie provides drinking water to over 11 million people and produces more consumable fish than all the other Great Lakes combined. In the past 20 years, a decline in water quality from nutrient pollution has led to efforts by organizations, businesses, and governments, aimed toward better maintenance of this critically important source of freshwater. This report identifies and quantifies the improvement of key ecosystem service values and economic benefits in the region through water quality improvement, particularly phosphorous reductions in Lake Erie.

2017 Harmful Algal Bloom in the Western Basin (Source: USGS)

Economic BEnefits from Phosphorous REductions

The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement's 40% phosphorous reduction, along with other benchmarks for phosphorous reductions, provide economic benefits to beach-goers, recreational anglers, property owners, and water treatment plants:
​Economic Benefit to Recreational Anglers

• Achieving the 40% GLWQA phosphorus reduction target goal:  $31.3 to $123.4 million
• Achieving a 20% phosphorus reduction:  $11.7 to $37 million

Economic Benefit to Beach-Related Recreation

• 20% reduction in the number of water quality advisories and beach closure days: $23.8 to $26.7 million
• 30% reduction in the number of water quality advisories and beach closure days: $36.2 to $41 million

Property Value Losses Avoided

• Households within 20 meters (66 feet) of Lake Erie could avoid property value declines of $686 million.
• Households within 20 meters to 250 meters (66 feet to 820 feet) of Lake Erie could avoid property value declines of $1 billion.

Potential to Reduce Water Monitoring and Treatment Costs Associated with Algae​

• In total, water treatment plants incur $3 million in annual costs
  • U.S. plants incur $2 million in annual costs
  • Canadian plants incur $889,778 in annual costs (2018$ USD).
• Capital expenditures for algae-related projects total over $85 million to date.

the region

The study region encompasses 160 watersheds in the Lake Erie subregion that drain directly into the western, central, and eastern basins of Lake Erie. 

Stay up to date

If you have any general questions about the project, please contact Sonia Wang via email.

Lake Erie Beaches (Source: Federal Highway Administration)

Resources

• Final technical report detailing economic benefits (and avoided losses) expected if phosphorus reductions and harmful algal blooms are reduced
• Press Release 
• ​Infographic on Economic Benefits (coming soon!)

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see also

Chesapeake Bay | Benefits of the TMDL

Delhi, India | Climate Change and Yamuna River Restoration (Page Coming Soon!)

Laurel Highlands: Valuing Clean Water