Economic Valuation of PFAS Remediation in New Hampshire Municipal Drinking Water Systems: A Contingent Valuation Approach

Since the early 2000s there has been an increase in detection and awareness of per- or polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances chemicals in groundwater and drinking water in the United States. In stark contrast to other known harmful chemical pollutants, little is known yet about the specific epidemiological and toxicological effects of prolonged intake and consumption of PFAS chemicals in environmentally occurring levels. New Hampshire has encountered two high-profile episodes of PFAS contamination with hotspots in Merrimack, NH, because of factory pollution and Pease International Tradeport in Portsmouth, NH, because of military activity. These instances have brought increased attention to the issue from both the state legislature and residents. The purpose of this study is to gather information on how New Hampshire residents value the removal of PFAS chemicals from their public drinking water systems to reduce the risk of possible negative health outcomes that come with PFAS intake. Using data from an online survey of New Hampshire (NH) residents and employing the contingent valuation method, we used several regression techniques to determine that NH residents are willing to pay an additional $13.07 to their existing water bill to remove the risk of negative health outcomes stemming from PFAS consumption. The most important confounding factor influencing higher willingness-to-pay values was the presence of moderate or major existing health concerns about drinking tap water.