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Testing the Water: Drinking Water Quality, Public Notification, and Child Outcomes

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  • Michelle Marcus

    (Vanderbilt University)

Abstract

Health-based drinking water violations affect about one in twelve Americans annually, yet the benefits of drinking water regulation are not well understood. I exploit plausibly exogenous variation in water quality violation timing to estimate the impacts on avoidance behavior and child outcomes. Using purchases of bottled water and common stomach remedies, emergency room visits for gastrointestinal illness, and school absences, I provide a comprehensive calculation of costs associated with poor drinking water quality. Individuals avoid the negative health impacts of coliform bacteria violations only when informed immediately. Timely public notification is a cost-effective way to induce avoidance behavior and protect health.

Suggested Citation

  • Michelle Marcus, 2022. "Testing the Water: Drinking Water Quality, Public Notification, and Child Outcomes," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 104(6), pages 1289-1303, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:restat:v:104:y:2022:i:6:p:1289-1303
    DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_01006
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    Cited by:

    1. Molitor, David & White, Corey, 2024. "Do cities mitigate or exacerbate environmental damages to health?," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    2. Jerch, Rhiannon L. & Phaneuf, Daniel J., 2024. "Cities and water quality," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    3. Marcus, Michelle & Mueller, Rosie, 2024. "Unregulated contaminants in drinking water: Evidence from PFAS and housing prices," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).

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