Better safe than sorry? Stated preferences and the precautionary principle for securing drinking water quality in an Italian district

We apply Contingent Valuation (CV) to investigate individuals’ preferences concerning an alleged contaminant – asbestos contained in fibrolite pipes – which, although not identified so far as a major threat to drinking water, is raising public concern. In the district of Gorizia in Northern Italy, though contrary to the recommendations of experts, mean WTP is high enough to justify an accelerated replacement of pipes as a precautionary measure. However, interviews reveal a strong polarization, and still provide inconclusive recommendations for policy. Our analysis contributes to the debate on the applicability of stated-preference techniques to choices concerning the precautionary principle when highly emotional topics are under discussion.