Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stevens Point, 2009. / Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science in Natural Resources (Water Resources), College of Natural Resources. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 28-29).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Auburn University. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 64-67).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin, 1973. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes a bibliography.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Delaware, 2006. / Principal faculty advisor: William J. Ullman, Dept. of Marine and Earth Studies. Includes bibliographical references.

Eutrophication is the accelerated aging process of a lake which generally decreases the water quality in terms of aesthetic and recreational uses. At Liberty Lake, near Spokane, Washington, eutrophication has become a problem. Many individuals and agencies are interested in the benefits that occur when the lake's water quality has improved. In this research the benefits to private property owners were measured at Liberty Lake. Three methods — present sales, appraised value and personal interview — were compared and empirically tested to determine the economic benefits to private property owners as well as the overall community impact. For this study property was defined as land, buildings and other improvements. Current market sales and appraised values at six different lakes, each with different water quality levels, were used as the dependent variables for the present sales and appraised value methods. The dependent variables were regressed against several factors including physical (.housing, neighborhood, accessibility, and environmental characteristics) to estimate the effect water quality had on property values. A quadratic and double logarithmic function were examined. In the results a positive relationship was found between water quality and the dependent variables. A 100 percent increase in the water quality ranking resulted in a $3,800 increase in the sales price per lot and $884 increase in the appraised value per lot for the quadratic function. Separate equations were determined for vacant lots. The dependent variables were the same, but only neighborhood, accessibility and environmental characteristics were used to estimate the effect water quality had on property values. In the quadratic form with a 100 percent increase in the water quality ranking, sales price increased $556 per lot and appraised value increased $782 per lot. In the personal interview method home owners at Liberty Lake were interviewed and asked for how much they would be willing to buy and sell a particular home at different water quality levels. The differences between the two buying and selling prices were the estimated impact of a change in water quality and totaled $4,795 and $5,679, respectively. Both differences were significant at the one percent level. The buying price difference was used when comparing the personal interview method to the other methods, since it was less likely to overestimate the water quality effect. This research used the best water quality index available, but there is a definite need for future research to develop a uniform water quality index. / Graduation date: 1980

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This study looks at spatial variation of groundwater nitrate in Texas and its fluctuations at 10 year increments using data from the Texas Water Development Board. While groundwater nitrate increased in the Ogallala and Seymour aquifers across the time period, the overall rate in Texas appears to be declining as time progresses. However, the available data is limited. Findings show that a much more targeted, knowledge based strategy for sampling would not only reduce the cost of water quality analysis but also reduce the risk of error in these analyses by providing a more realistic picture of the spatial variation of problem contaminants, thereby giving decision-makers a clearer picture on how best to handle the reduction and elimination of problem contaminants.