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Research ArticleArticles

A Watershed Moment: The Clean Water Act and Birth Weight

Patrick Flynn and Michelle Marcus
Published online before print March 08, 2023, 0622-12369R2; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.0622-12369R2
Patrick Flynn
Patrick Flynn is a graduate student from the Department of Economics at Vanderbilt University.
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Michelle Marcus
Michelle Marcus is an Assistant Professor from the Department of Economics at Vanderbilt University and a Faculty Research Fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research (e-mail: [email protected]).
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Abstract

The Clean Water Act (CWA) significantly improved surface water quality, but at a cost exceeding the estimated benefits. We quantify the effect of the CWA on a direct measure of health. Using a difference-in-differences framework, we compare birth weight upstream and downstream from wastewater treatment facilities before and after CWA grant receipt. Pollution only decreased downstream from facilities required to upgrade their treatment technology, and we leverage this additional variation with a triple difference. CWA grants increased average birth weight by 8 grams.

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Journal of Human Resources: 60 (3)
Journal of Human Resources
Vol. 60, Issue 3
1 May 2025
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A Watershed Moment: The Clean Water Act and Birth Weight
Patrick Flynn, Michelle Marcus
Journal of Human Resources Mar 2023, 0622-12369R2; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.0622-12369R2

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A Watershed Moment: The Clean Water Act and Birth Weight
Patrick Flynn, Michelle Marcus
Journal of Human Resources Mar 2023, 0622-12369R2; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.0622-12369R2
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