Social acceptance of water reuse

Recycling of waste water presents one of the main options to the water supply planner. Public attitudes against recycled water, however, are seen to be a major inhibitor of its use. Research during the 1960s and 1970s indicated that acceptance of recycled water varied according to potential use—from about 50 per cent acceptance for potable water to almost 100 per cent for irrigation and industrial cooling. Initial acceptance is shown to depend mainly upon cognitive factors, including the awareness of the public about water supply, distribution and treatment, the perception of the adequacy of existing supplies, and income. Peripheral factors such as age, political affiliation and attitudes to local government are also related to acceptance, but neither price nor psychological factors influence the level of acceptance. It is concluded that public acceptance of waste-water reuse is not a formidable obstacle to its adoption, but that a greater constraint is the pessimistic perception by planners of consumer attitudes.