Abstract
ABSTRACTThis study quantifies the direct and indirect household economic burden of saltwater intrusion in Beirut, Lebanon, which experiences chronic water shortages. Incurred burdens include water purchase, reduction in the lifespan of household appliances, and building-level water treatment systems. Due to salinity, median household expenditure on water exceeds 6.5% of income, significantly higher than worldwide averages. A majority of affected respondents are willing to pay for mitigation measures to reduce salinity. The reported willingness to pay increased with education, income, salinity, and household expenditure on alternative water sources.
Highlights
Population growth, rapid urbanization, and economic development have indirectly led to the improper management of water resources in many developing countries
The study highlighted the gravity of saltwater intrusion in a coastal urban area along the Eastern Mediterranean (Beirut, Lebanon) facing water shortage and unregulated groundwater exploitation typical of many developing coastal communities
Projections of climate change envisage rising net water demand and falling aquifer recharge, which, along with the anticipated sea-level rise, will increase the rate of salinization
Summary
Population growth, rapid urbanization, and economic development have indirectly led to the improper management of water resources in many developing countries. Urban residents of coastal areas, where population hubs tend to concentrate, in arid and semi-arid regions, are suffering from water shortages or are expected to suffer from them in the near future (McDonald et al, 2011; Vörösmarty, Green, Salisbury, & Lammers, 2000). In these regions, future climate change is expected to exacerbate an already difficult situation because of potential temperature rise, changes in precipitation amount or patterns, sea-level rise, and slower replenishment of renewable water resources (Dawadi & Ahmad, 2012; De Montety et al, 2008; Masciopinto, 2013; Nicholls et al, 2007; Pachauri et al, 2014), all of which are strong promoters of increased net water demand. In the absence of alternative water sources, many coastal communities have little choice but to continue to use salinized groundwater
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