using the present values of costs and benefits as a basis for comparison shows a net benefit of the wfd in england and wales of usd million gbp million defrawag in a strategic cost benefit analysis tried to monetise benefits as far as possible the assessment indicated that the most important benefits of wfd measures are related to the value attached to living in a beautiful natural environment which could be revealed in the increased value of houses in the vicinity of water other benefit categories identified included recreational benefits and benefits for the production of drinking water