Bennett, Drew E.Duncan, Sally L.Lurie, Susan D.Gosnell, HannahEllison, Autumn2015-09-102015-09-102014https://hdl.handle.net/1794/193922 pagesWater utilities benefit from ecosystem services that improve water quality and moderate stream temperatures, such as the natural filtration and shading services provided by riparian forests. Such benefits have brought increased attention to the role of water utilities in protecting ecosystem services through what are known as payments for ecosystem services (PES) programs. PES programs typically offer incentives to landowners for management practices that provide ecosystem services and may help utilities avoid significant treatment costs or meet regulatory requirements. However, these initiatives have not been widely adopted. To better understand the potential for PES to meet water utility objectives, we examined the barriers and opportunities water utilities face in engaging with existing PES initiatives.en-USCreative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0-USPayments for ecosystem servicesWater utilitiesIncentives in conservation of natural resourcesWater quality managementWatershed managementOther