used the contingent valuation method (CVM) to
estimate the values ofwater quality improvement in East Lake from
existing level to boatable, swimmable and drinkable. The estimated
values include both recreational value and existence value. Since
the results estimated from unit value transfer and benefit function
transfer methods are very similar, the study presented only the
results from the former method.
According to the standards (GB3838 e 2002), water quality is
classified into five levels: level I is high-quality water, which is
drinkable after simple treatment; Level II is slightly polluted water,
which is also drinkable after regular treatment; and levels III to V
are more polluted water. The basic water quality for swimming is
Level III. In this study, only the value of water quality improvement
was transferred from the status quo (Level V) to the swimmable
level because the water quality level III in the GB3838e2002
standard matches the swimmable level at Du (1998), and no
other match was found