Modeling relationships between use and nonuse values for surface water quality: A meta‐analysis

This paper describes a meta‐analysis conducted to estimate relationships between the nonuse components of WTP for surface water quality improvements and a combination of resource, context, and study design attributes, where these attributes include estimated use values for identical improvements. Results are contrasted across four different statistical approaches: ordinary least squares, weighted least squares, multilevel models, and simultaneous equation models. Findings illustrate robust, systematic relationships between a variety of attributes and estimated nonuse WTP, in addition to a systematic empirical relationship between use and nonuse values. Results are promising with regard to the ability of meta‐analysis to synthesize information regarding nonuse WTP for water quality improvements and to reveal relationships unapparent from individual stated preference models.