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Household preferences for municipal water services in Nicaragua

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 August 2011

William F. Vásquez ,
Dina Franceschi  and
Gert T. Van Hecken
William F. Vásquez
Affiliation:
Department of Economics, Fairfield University, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824, USA. Tel: 1-203-254-4000x2363. Fax: 1-203-254-4074. Email: wvasquez@fairfield.edu
Dina Franceschi
Affiliation:
Department of Economics, Fairfield University, USA. Email: dfranceschi@fairfield.edu
Gert T. Van Hecken
Affiliation:
Institute of Development Policy and Management, University of Antwerp, Belgium. Email: Gert.Vanhecken@ua.ac.be
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Abstract

Choice models and a referendum format contingent valuation survey are used to investigate household preferences for improved water services and decentralization levels (actual departmental administration vs. further decentralization to the municipality) in urban Matiguás, Nicaragua. Choice models suggest that households prefer the current departmental administration over municipal provision for service and capacity, but believe that the municipality would be more interested in improving services. Results also indicate that households are willing to pay an increment of at least 112 per cent above their current monthly water bill for reliable and safe drinking water services, regardless of administration type.

Type
Research Article
Information
Environment and Development Economics , Volume 17 , Issue 1 , February 2012 , pp. 105 - 126
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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