CONTINGENT VALUATION FOR HOUSEHOLD WATER IN RURAL GHANA

This study uses an iterative bidding approach to examine the relationship between selected socioeconomic characteristics of households and their willingness to pay for water. The study uses survey data from selected villages in Ghana. The results show that household income is the principal factor influencing the willingness to pay for water. There was a statistically significant positive relationship between households' history of water-related illness and their willingness to pay for water. The effect of most of the other socioeconomic factors in the study did not follow any consistent pattern and broad generalisations are not possible.