How Trust and Risk Perception Affect Household Water Use

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Yu Wang ◽  
Xiaofeng Liu
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Recycled Water ◽  
Household Water

Household water use accounts for an important portion of water consumption. Notably, different households may behave differently regarding how water is used in everyday life. Trust and risk perception are two significant psychological factors that influence water use behavior in households. Since trust and risk perception are malleable and subject to construction, they are useful for developing effective demand management strategies and water conservation policies. The concepts of trust and risk perception are multidimensional and interconnected. Risk perception varies across social groups and is often shaped by subjective feelings toward a variety of activities, events, and technologies. Risk perception is also mediated by trust, which involves a positive expectation of an individual, an organization, and/or an institution that derives from complex processes, characteristics, and competence. Likewise, different social groups’ trust in various entities involved in household water use is subject to the significant and far-reaching impact of risk perception. The complexity of the two notions poses challenges to the measurement and exploration of their effects on household water use. In many cases, risk perception and trust can influence people’s acceptance of water sources (e.g., tap water, bottled water, recycled water, and desalinated water) and their conservation behavior (e.g., installing water-saving technologies and reducing water consumption) in household water use. Trust can affect household water use indirectly through its influence on risk perception. Moreover, trust and risk perception in household water use are neither given nor fixed; rather, they are dynamically determined by external, internal, and informational factors. A coherent, stable, transparent, and fair social and institutional structure is conducive to building trust. However, trust and risk perception differ among groups with diverse household and/or individual demographic, economic, social, and cultural characteristics. Direct information from personal experiences and, more importantly, indirect information from one’s social network, as well as from mass media and social media, play an increasingly important role in the formation and evolution of trust and risk perception, bringing a profound impact on household water use in an era of information. Future directions lie in new dynamics of risk perception and trust in the era of information explosion, the coevolution mechanism of risk perception and trust in household water use, the nuanced impacts of different types of risks (e.g., controllable and uncontrollable) on household water use, and the interactive relations of risk perception and trust across geographical contexts.

scholarly journals Drought response impacts on household water use practices in Cape Town, South Africa

Water Policy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 483-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phikolomzi Matikinca ◽  
Gina Ziervogel ◽  
Johan P. Enqvist
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Qualitative Understanding ◽  
Household Water ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Water Use Practices

Abstract Cape Town recently endured a record-breaking drought which nearly ended in disaster for the city's water supply. Municipal authorities introduced several measures to curb water demand using both monetary and other incentives, but little is known about how effective these measures were at encouraging people to save water. Previous literature shows no consensus as to which types of measures are most effective for managing residential water demand. Using information obtained through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 20 individuals living in houses where they paid their water bills, this study provides insights on how respondents interpreted and responded to these mechanisms. Results show that price mechanisms were considered to be ineffective and did not encourage people to save water in their households. Non-price mechanisms were seen as having more impact on respondents, encouraging water conservation behaviour; especially when it comes to household indoor water use activities related to hygiene. While previous studies primarily provide quantitative data to measure the effectiveness of water demand management strategies, this paper adds a qualitative understanding of how and why households' water use practices change in response to these measures.

scholarly journals Barriers and opportunities for behavior change in managing high water demand in water scarce Indigenous communities: an Australian perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 765-773
Author(s):  
Safaa Aldirawi ◽  
Regina Souter ◽  
Cara D. Beal
Keyword(s):  
Behavior Change ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
High Water ◽  
Indigenous Community ◽  
Water Users ◽  
Household Water

Abstract Managing water demand by reducing water consumption and improving water use efficiency has become essential for ensuring water security. This research aimed to identify the primary determinants of household water consumption in an Australian Indigenous community to develop evidence-based water demand management policies and strategies that might be implemented by the water service provider. A behavior change framework was applied to investigate the opportunity, ability, and motivational determinants affecting household water consumption and conservation in an Australian Indigenous community. The lack of water conservation knowledge and skills of high water users could be barriers to saving water. Low water users have positive attitudes towards water conservation and a higher level of awareness about their own water use. While there is a lack of a belief that water shortages will occur, low water users do have concerns of vulnerability to droughts, and that could be a driver for their sense of obligation to engage in water conservation practices. The research recommended communication messages and tools to address identified barriers to enabling positive changes to water use behaviors, which have wider applications in remote Australian Indigenous communities.

scholarly journals Understanding household water-use behaviour in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa

Water Policy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genius Murwirapachena
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Probit Regression ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Household Water ◽  
Management Policies ◽  
Efficient Water Use

Abstract Climate change, population growth and industrial activities continue to threaten water security, especially in the semi-arid regions. Demand management policies are essential in minimising the effects of acute water shortages. Such policies require information on household water consumption patterns and their behavioural practices. This study examines household water consumption behaviour and the adoption of water-efficient appliances in Johannesburg, South Africa. The study uses probit regression models to analyse survey data collected from 889 households during the period November 2017 to February 2018. Results show that while most households do not have water-efficient appliances installed in their homes, they do practise water-efficient behaviour. Older respondents as well as males and lower-income respondents are found to be more likely to practise efficient water-use behaviour. However, biographical variables do not generally influence the adoption of water-efficient appliances. These results are essential for policy-makers when formulating targeted water demand management policies. Thus, policy-makers should focus more on younger people, women and higher-income households when developing campaigns on efficient water-use behaviour.

scholarly journals What roles do smart sensors play in citizens' water use? From the perspective of household water-saving

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kang Tian ◽  
Zhuo Chen
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Water Saving ◽  
Smart Sensors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Behavioural Intervention ◽  
Household Water ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The rapid population growth has led to increasing demand for water resources. Studies have shown that the application of new technologies can effectively influence and promote citizens to save water. The application of smart water sensors can effectively monitor household water consumption and feedback the recorded data to citizens promptly, thereby influencing family members' water-saving attitudes and behaviours. For the widespread use of future water sensors in households, it can demonstrate its essential role in three aspects: water use information feedback to reduce water consumption, water information measurement helps to cultivate water conservation awareness, and water use information release as an effective means of behavioural intervention. This research provides some suggestions for the promotion and use of smart sensors in the home and points out the future research directions for the impact of water sensing on household water-saving behaviour.

Household water use: a Portuguese field study

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 193-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Vieira ◽  
M. do C. Almeida ◽  
J.M. Baptista ◽  
R. Ribeiro
Keyword(s):  
Field Study ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Domestic Water ◽  
Household Water ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Definition Of

Household water use structure can vary significantly depending on several factors like personal habits, socio-economic, cultural and climatic conditions. In the absence of Portuguese data on domestic water consumption, a field study was carried out in order to obtain information that could help support the definition of water conservation measures within the scope of the Portuguese National Program for the Efficient Use of Water. The paper describes the methodology and results obtained in this study, which involved approximately 100 participants that made a characterization of their appliances and detailed recordings of all water uses. Results allowed for the determination of average values of usage duration and frequency for each appliance, total volume consumed per water appliance and per capita water consumption. In terms of consumption structure, it was found that showering and bathing were the main components (36±13%) followed by taps (29±10%) and toilet flushing (21±7%).

Influencing attitudes and changing consumers' household water consumption behaviour

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Cary
Keyword(s):  
Water Consumption ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Major Element ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Water Delivery ◽  
Water Users ◽  
Household Water ◽  
Behaviour Models ◽  
Changing Attitudes

Programs for demand management have become critical following extended water shortage in Australia. Changing attitudes is a major element of water conservation programs. Information and education are likely to be necessary but not sufficient components of any program for behaviour change. A combination of factors is needed to promote water saving behaviour. Changing the behaviours of less responsive water users requires a better understanding of what shapes water conservation behaviours. Programs and conservation behaviour models need to take account of both ‘internal’ influences, such as attitudes and habits, and ‘external’ influences, such as the water delivery environment, pricing and social norms for water use.

Aligning theory and measurement in behavioral models of water conservation

Water Policy ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 762-776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley S. Jorgensen ◽  
John F. Martin ◽  
Meryl W. Pearce ◽  
Eileen M. Willis
Keyword(s):  
Water Consumption ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Behavioral Intentions ◽  
Habit Strength ◽  
Behavioral Models ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Single Person ◽  
Consumption Data ◽  
Household Water

Discussion in the water literature has called for research on the role of behavioral intentions in explanations of both water demand and water conservation. But previous research has suggested that individual-level motivations are not good predictors of metered household water consumption. Two possible reasons for the lack of association between intentions and actual water conservation are that: (i) conservation behaviors are habitual and (ii) conservation behaviors and intention are measured at different levels of analysis. These explanations were tested in a sample of 415 residential households who provided permission to access their water consumption billing records. The effects of intentions, habit strength, and their interaction were examined in single-person households where the alignment of theory and measurement were the same. While behavioral intentions were associated with self-reports of past water conservation and habit strength, none of these variables were good predictors of water conservation. The implications of these results for the development of attitude theory using metered consumption data are discussed.

scholarly journals Household water use and conservation models using Monte Carlo techniques

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 4869-4900 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Cahill ◽  
J. R. Lund ◽  
B. DeOreo ◽  
J. Medellín-Azuara
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Mixed Integer ◽  
Residential Neighborhood ◽  
Household Water ◽  
End Use ◽  
Conservation Model

Abstract. The increased availability of water end use measurement studies allows for more mechanistic and detailed approaches to estimating household water demand and conservation potential. This study uses, probability distributions for parameters affecting water use estimated from end use studies and randomly sampled in Monte Carlo iterations to simulate water use in a single-family residential neighborhood. This model represents existing conditions and is calibrated to metered data. A two-stage mixed integer optimization model is then developed to estimate the least-cost combination of long- and short-term conservation actions for each household. This least-cost conservation model provides an estimate of the upper bound of reasonable conservation potential for varying pricing and rebate conditions. The models were adapted from previous work in Jordan and are applied to a neighborhood in San Ramon, California in eastern San Francisco Bay Area. The existing conditions model produces seasonal use results very close to the metered data. The least-cost conservation model suggests clothes washer rebates are among most cost-effective rebate programs for indoor uses. Retrofit of faucets and toilets is also cost effective and holds the highest potential for water savings from indoor uses. This mechanistic modeling approach can improve understanding of water demand and estimate cost-effectiveness of water conservation programs.

scholarly journals Can Water Rights Trading Scheme Promote Regional Water Conservation in China? Evidence from a Time-Varying DID Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Fang ◽  
Fengping Wu
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Water Rights ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Time Varying ◽  
Trading Scheme ◽  
Regional Water

Using the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 1998 to 2017, we adopt a time-varying difference-in-differences (time-varying DID) model to estimate the impact of water rights trading scheme on regional water consumption. The results show that water rights trading can significantly promote water conservation in the pilot regions by 3.1% compared to that in the non-pilot regions, and a series of robustness tests show consistent results. Policy effects are mainly driven by improving water-use efficiency and adjusting water structure; that is, by transferring water resources from the agricultural sector to the other sectors, agricultural water efficiency is improved and water conflict among sectors is alleviated; thus, water saving is achieved. In addition, by constructing two indexes of regional water pressure and tradable water resources, our heterogeneity analysis shows that water rights trading performs better in areas with high water pressure and large tradable water resources. Under the high pressure of large water use and low water endowment, water rights trading will evidently reduce water consumption more so than in the low-pressure regions, and with water rights trading, it is hard to achieve a policy effect in regions without sufficient tradable water resources. This paper provides important policy implications for China for further promoting the water rights trading scheme in the field of resource conservation.

scholarly journals Water and time use: evidence from Kathmandu, Nepal

Water Policy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (S1) ◽  
pp. 76-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Jie Chen ◽  
Namrata Chindarkar ◽  
Jane Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Water Consumption ◽  
Time Use ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Objective Measure ◽  
Total Water ◽  
Urban Households ◽  
Time Diary ◽  
Total Water Consumption ◽  
Household Water ◽  
Water Collection

Abstract In this paper, we examine the effect of private tap water reliability on time spent on water collection and total water consumption among urban households in Kathmandu, Nepal. Although the majority of households in Kathmandu are connected to a private tap, they experience intermittent water supply. We link a unique time diary dataset collected between 2014 and 2015 to household water consumption and tap water reliability data. Our empirical analyses demonstrate that improved reliability of private tap water connection (PWC), measured as self-reported reliability and an objective measure of ‘probability of getting tap water in the next hour’, leads to increased time spent on water collection. Households with more reliable PWC also consume more water overall and from their own taps. Further investigation demonstrates that when private taps became more reliable, households substituted water collected from outside the household, such as water from public taps and public wells, with water from their own private taps. Our results proved robust to additional specification checks.

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