scholarly journals A quantitative investigation of narratives: recycled drinking water

Water Policy ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 831-847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leong Ching

Recycled drinking water represents one of the most obvious and technologically reliable sources of urban water. Yet it is one of the least implemented solutions. Blame has often been laid on the emotional and psychological difficulties of persuading people that recycled drinking water is safe to drink. This ‘yuck’ factor has been empirically identified as a statistically significant variable. But how are such factors perceived? And more importantly – can these perceptions be changed? This study attempts a quantitative study of public perceptions and norm formation in recycled drinking water. Using the Q methodology, which reveals the subjective perceptions of key stakeholders, we uncover the following discourses: (1) technology can change current paradigms; (2) ensuring a safe water supply is a problem that has an economic cost; (3) environmental and global realities make it imperative to recycle water. These findings confound two prevailing views – that the debate in recycled drinking water is one of science over emotions, and more information can ‘overcome’ the apparently irrational norm formation. Instead, we find no new information in this case. Rather what was present was a new interpretative frame that allowed a new narrative enabling the bridging of two previously contradictory positions – in this instance, the pro- and anti-water reuse discourses.

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 436-451
Author(s):  
Yilang Peng

Applications in artificial intelligence such as self-driving cars may profoundly transform our society, yet emerging technologies are frequently faced with suspicion or even hostility. Meanwhile, public opinions about scientific issues are increasingly polarized along the ideological line. By analyzing a nationally representative panel in the United States, we reveal an emerging ideological divide in public reactions to self-driving cars. Compared with liberals and Democrats, conservatives and Republicans express more concern about autonomous vehicles and more support for restrictively regulating autonomous vehicles. This ideological gap is largely driven by social conservatism. Moreover, both familiarity with driverless vehicles and scientific literacy reduce respondents’ concerns over driverless vehicles and support for regulation policies. Still, the effects of familiarity and scientific literacy are weaker among social conservatives, indicating that people may assimilate new information in a biased manner that promotes their worldviews.


Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasios Zouboulis ◽  
Ioannis Katsoyiannis

The present Special Issue brought together recent research findings from renowned scientists in this field and assembled contributions on advanced technologies that have been applied to the treatment of wastewater and drinking water, with an emphasis on novel membrane treatment technologies. The 12 research contributions highlight various processes and technologies that can achieve the effective treatment and purification of wastewater and drinking water, aiming (occasionally) for water reuse. The published papers can be classified into three major categories. (a) First, there are those that investigate the application of membrane treatment processes, either directly or in hybrid processes. The role of organic matter presence and fouling control is the main aim of the research in some of these studies. (b) Second, there are studies that investigate the application of adsorptive processes for the removal of contaminants from waters, such as arsenic, antimony, or chromate, with the aim of the efficient removal of the toxic contaminants from water or wastewater. (c) Lastly, there are studies that include novel aspects of oxidative treatment such as bubbleless ozonation.


2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 243-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Safarikas ◽  
N.V. Paranychianakis ◽  
O. Kotselidou ◽  
A.N. Angelakis

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) 2000/60/EC, which has been transposed into the national legislation with the Law 3199/2003 (MoEPPW, 2003), will cause substantial changes in the drinking water pricing policy and the domestic water authorities involved such as the Municipal Enterprises for Water Supply and Sewerage (DEYA). Up to date, drinking water pricing policy has been based only on the recovery of the economic cost and in some cases neither this. Therefore, domestic water is not priced taking into account its real cost. Based on data provided by 74 DEYA representing 2.10 million inh, the average water price is estimated to be 1.19 €/m3. Analysis of these data reveals a deviation of 41.67% from the real cost. The relation of consumers with the Enterprise, but also that of management and employees, should be a bidirectional relation, in order to be comprehensible by all. Thus, an agreement that will point out that the most excellent quality of water presupposes water policy which will consider sustainability and the current requirements of the Enterprise and of course the consumers should be established between them.


2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 (12) ◽  
pp. 4214-4219
Author(s):  
Jeff Neemann ◽  
Nick Burns ◽  
Bob Hulsey ◽  
Gary Hunter
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