What affects public acceptance of recycled and desalinated water?
This paper identifies factors that are associated with higher levels of public acceptance for recycled and desalinated water. For the first time, a wide range of hypothesized factors, both of socio-demographic and psychographic nature, are included simultaneously. The key results, based on a survey study of about 3000 respondents are that: (1) drivers of the stated likelihood of using desalinated water differ somewhat from drivers of the stated likelihood of using recycled water; (2) positive perceptions of, and knowledge about, the respective water source are key drivers for the stated likelihood of usage; and (3) awareness of water scarcity, as well as prior experience with using water from alternative sources, increases the stated likelihood of use. Practical recommendations for public policy makers, such as key messages to be communicated to the public, are derived.
Dolnicar
Sara
S
Institute for Innovation in Business and Social Research, School of Management & Marketing, University of Wollongong, NSW, Wollongong, Australia. sarad@uow.edu.au
Hurlimann
Anna
A
Grün
Bettina
B
D001290:Attitude; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D011639:Public Opinion; D011640:Public Policy; D059027:Recycling; D054712:Salinity; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014881:Water Supply / Q000592:standards*