UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Water is a paradox: a low-cost public resource that can be priceless and indispensable. A new publication from Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences is intended to educate Pennsylvania citizens about water's uses and value to individuals and society.

"Valuing Pennsylvania's Water Resources" is for members of watershed groups, public officials, water supply managers and interested citizens. According to author Charles Abdalla, associate professor of agricultural economics, the goal of this publication is to motivate readers to make better decisions about water use and to express their preferences about water management to government officials.

"While the publication provides an overview of Pennsylvania's water resources and their management, its main purpose is to get people thinking about the value of water," Abdalla says. "The price we pay for water is very low. This price does not reflect the true value of this resource. Water provides many benefits -- recreation, aesthetics, irrigation and improved wildlife."

Abdalla points to the drought of 1999 as an example of water's importance. "Many people only think about conserving water at these times, but people are more likely to conserve water on a daily basis if they understand its true value," he says.

Single copies of the booklet can be obtained free of charge by contacting any county Penn State Cooperative Extension office, or by calling the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Distribution Center at 814-865-6713.

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EDITORS: For more information, please contact Charles Abdalla at 814-865-2562.

Contacts: Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu 814-863-2708 814-865-1068 fax