However, these land use studies omit actual measures of water
quality that are more direct measures of the impact of
development activities on water resources. Residential development
associated with the conversion of open-spaces is a
major source of increased impervious surfaces and thus the
deterioration of ambient water quality from increased run-off,
making the hedonic property valuation model a logical choice
for analyzing water quality within a watershed. This is of
particular concern in local watersheds where development
pressures are of greater concern than in areas where water
quality is more directly related to intensively cropped agricultural
lands or feedlots.