Abstract:
Natural water resources, particularly the tanks play a significant role in the livelihood of the
farmer households in the Anuradhapura district. Over the years, these tanks have been
abandoned due to pollution and other socioeconomic and political activities leading to a lack of
access to adequate quality water supply. Inadequate estimation of tanks’ true value as a
multipurpose resource is the key reason behind poor management. Therefore, the study aims to
elicit the willingness to pay for water quality improvements of the tanks in the Anuradhapura
area. Data were collected from a sample of randomly selected farmer households living adjacent
to small tanks. A choice experiment was used to elicit the willingness to pay and the preferences
for tank quality improvement. Results revealed that respondents are willing to pay 10% of
monthly income generated from tank related activities as a payment for quality improvement.
The study also demonstrates that the level of water quality improvements has a significant
positive impact on people’s willingness to pay while the reduction of fertilizer level, fine and the
payment do not have a significant impact. About 85 % of the respondents are willing to pay LKR.
100 as the service charge for tank water quality improvement mainly as they believe tank
management to be their responsibility as a community. Study highlights the importance and
community contribution for small tank rehabilitation programs in the Anuradhapura District.
