Economics of Water Infrastructure Options to Address Salinity Damage in Western Australian Rural Towns

Richard Reeve

doi:10.26182/kdae-xc86

Economics of Water Infrastructure Options to Address Salinity Damage in Western Australian Rural Towns

Richard Reeve

UWA School of Agriculture and Environment

Research output: Thesis › Master's Thesis

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Abstract

In Australia, clearing of native vegetation has led to groundwater tables rising, bringing with them naturally occurring salts that degrade agricultural land, broader landscapes and rural town infrastructure. This research examined the economic viability of remedial action, applying cost benefit analysis to a case study in the WA Wheatbelt town of Wagin. Findings suggest that groundwater abstraction, desalination and water sale for reuse is economical, although external costs and benefits were not considered. Externalities and property rights are key in explaining how this situation developed, and how we could learn from history and avoid similar situations in the future.

Original language	English
Qualification	Masters
Awarding Institution	The University of Western Australia
Supervisors/Advisors	White, Ben, Supervisor Burton, Michael, Supervisor
Thesis sponsors	Australian Government Research Training Program
Award date	28 Aug 2020
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.26182/kdae-xc86
Publication status	Unpublished - 2020

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10.26182/kdae-xc86

THESIS - MASTER BY RESEARCH - REEVE Richard - 2020
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Cite this

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title = "Economics of Water Infrastructure Options to Address Salinity Damage in Western Australian Rural Towns",

abstract = "In Australia, clearing of native vegetation has led to groundwater tables rising, bringing with them naturally occurring salts that degrade agricultural land, broader landscapes and rural town infrastructure. This research examined the economic viability of remedial action, applying cost benefit analysis to a case study in the WA Wheatbelt town of Wagin. Findings suggest that groundwater abstraction, desalination and water sale for reuse is economical, although external costs and benefits were not considered. Externalities and property rights are key in explaining how this situation developed, and how we could learn from history and avoid similar situations in the future.",

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school = "The University of Western Australia",

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T1 - Economics of Water Infrastructure Options to Address Salinity Damage in Western Australian Rural Towns

AU - Reeve, Richard

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N2 - In Australia, clearing of native vegetation has led to groundwater tables rising, bringing with them naturally occurring salts that degrade agricultural land, broader landscapes and rural town infrastructure. This research examined the economic viability of remedial action, applying cost benefit analysis to a case study in the WA Wheatbelt town of Wagin. Findings suggest that groundwater abstraction, desalination and water sale for reuse is economical, although external costs and benefits were not considered. Externalities and property rights are key in explaining how this situation developed, and how we could learn from history and avoid similar situations in the future.

AB - In Australia, clearing of native vegetation has led to groundwater tables rising, bringing with them naturally occurring salts that degrade agricultural land, broader landscapes and rural town infrastructure. This research examined the economic viability of remedial action, applying cost benefit analysis to a case study in the WA Wheatbelt town of Wagin. Findings suggest that groundwater abstraction, desalination and water sale for reuse is economical, although external costs and benefits were not considered. Externalities and property rights are key in explaining how this situation developed, and how we could learn from history and avoid similar situations in the future.

KW - salinity

KW - water

KW - rural towns

KW - cost benefit analysis

KW - infrastructure damage

KW - natural resource management

KW - policy

U2 - 10.26182/kdae-xc86

DO - 10.26182/kdae-xc86

M3 - Master's Thesis

ER -

Economics of Water Infrastructure Options to Address Salinity Damage in Western Australian Rural Towns

Abstract

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