Lithuanian residents’ willingness to contribute financially to improving the status of surface water bodies

Within the framework of the project “Integrated Water Management in Lithuania” (“LIFE SIP Water”), in which the Ministry of Environment participates as an implementing partner, a study was carried out to assess Lithuanian residents’ willingness to contribute financially to improving the status of surface water bodies. Nearly two thirds of respondents expressed a willingness—or at least a potential willingness—to pay a certain amount to improve the condition of Lithuania’s rivers, lakes, ponds, and lagoons.

“An average Lithuanian resident is willing to pay EUR 2.45–3.40 per month, and the total social benefit of improving the status of inland surface waters is estimated at EUR 71 –98 million per year,” said scientist Dr Daiva Semėnienė.

According to Ieva Pociūnienė, Head of the “LIFE SIP Water” project at the Environmental Projects Management Agency (EPMA), two decades ago Lithuania, like all EU Member States, committed to ensuring that all water bodies achieve good ecological status. However, studies show that around two thirds of inland surface water bodies are still not in good condition.
“To assess the benefits of achieving good status, the Ministry of Environment, within the framework of the ‘LIFE SIP Water’ project, conducted a representative survey of Lithuanian residents’ willingness to financially contribute to improving the condition of surface water bodies. The results present a consistent and internally coherent picture of how Lithuanian residents view the goal of improving the ecological status of all inland surface waters to good by 2040,” said I. Pociūnienė.
The research team applied the contingent valuation method, which allows the assessment of environmental (ecological) benefits that are not usually bought or sold—such as cleaner water, richer biodiversity, and improved recreational opportunities. Following international workshops organised by the “LIFE SIP Water” project—“Monetary Valuation of Water Resources: Methods and Applications”—held in Vilnius on 22–23 October 2024, several focus group meetings, and a pilot survey with 50 respondents to test the questionnaire, the survey company Norstat conducted an online survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,500 adults in February–March 2025.
Each respondent was provided with a clear explanation of the current status of water bodies, supported by maps, and was asked how much they would be willing to contribute to two water status improvement programmes to be implemented from 2025 to 2040.

Under the first programme, all water bodies in poor condition would be improved to moderate status, and all water bodies in moderate condition would be improved to good status. Under the second programme, all rivers, lakes, ponds, and lagoons would reach good status. Respondents could choose the maximum amount—from zero up to EUR 15 or more per month—they would be willing to pay, while additional questions explored their motivation, certainty of choice, and any doubts regarding the payment mechanism.

How much funding could be raised?

Econometric analysis of the survey data, conducted by Prof Mikołaj Czajkowski from the University of Warsaw, showed that Lithuanian residents assign a clear and measurable monetary value to achieving good water status. 64% of respondents stated that they are willing or potentially willing to pay a monthly contribution, while 36% would refuse. Among those unwilling to pay, nearly three quarters were classified as so-called protest responses—these respondents mainly cited a lack of trust in how the collected funds would be used or concerns about fairness and justice, rather than indifference to water quality or financial constraints.

“Nearly two thirds of respondents expressed a willingness—or at least a potential willingness—to pay a certain amount for improving the status of Lithuania’s rivers, lakes, ponds, and lagoons, which indicates broad public support for water improvement programmes,” said Dr D. Semėnienė, one of the initiators and implementers of the study. “It is encouraging that improving the status of Lithuania’s waters is not only an environmental commitment but also an economically justified public investment that citizens are prepared to finance—provided that the management of collected funds is transparent, fair, and aligned with Lithuania’s realities. An average Lithuanian resident is willing to pay EUR 2.45–3.40 per month, and the total social benefit of improving inland surface water status is estimated at EUR 71 –98 million per year,” per year.”

The main motivation is altruistic

Lithuanian society clearly assigns an economic value relevant to water policy to water bodies in good ecological condition. Several factors motivate people to contribute to improving water status. “Payment motives are predominantly altruistic and linked to leaving a legacy for future generations: 78% of potential contributors say they would pay primarily to leave healthy water ecosystems to their children and grandchildren, while only 17% focus on direct recreational benefits such as swimming or fishing,” explained Dr D. Semėnienė. The scientist also noted that willingness to pay increases with disposable income and environmental awareness, but trust in institutions plays an even more significant role. Respondents who believe that the designated fee would be used transparently and that polluters would bear an appropriate share of the costs tend to propose significantly higher contributions, regardless of income level.

According to Tomas Želvys, a representative of the Ministry of Environment, the results of this study provide highly valuable insights into public attitudes towards water quality improvement priorities. They enable the Ministry to shape water policy measures more effectively, taking into account societal expectations and values. The study also revealed that institutional transparency and clear use of funds are critical for public engagement. The Ministry of Environment will therefore strengthen public trust in water resources management, improve inter-institutional dialogue, and enhance communication with the public.