Understanding the barriers and opportunities for water utility investments in ecosystem services
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Date
2014
Authors
Bennett, Drew E.
Duncan, Sally L.
Lurie, Susan D.
Gosnell, Hannah
Ellison, Autumn
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ecosystem Workforce Program, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, University of Oregon
Abstract
Water 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.
Description
2 pages