Using domestic water analysis to value groundwater recharge in the Hadejia-Jama'are floodplain, Northern Nigeria

This article values the groundwater recharge function performed by the Hadejia-Jama'are floodplain which is threatened by planned upstream water utilization schemes. Domestic consumption of groundwater resources for households dependent on groundwater resources is analyzed. Three types of households are identified as (i) those which collect all their water, (ii) those which purchase all their water, and (iii) those which both collect and purchase water. A behavioral model using a household production function approach is developed to model water demand and a panel formed by pooling contingent behavior and observed data is used to estimate demand. Welfare changes are calculated based on these estimates and on hypothetical reductions in the groundwater recharge rate.