Save-water campaigns are the most common tools for promoting household water conservation. Despite their popularity, there is some debate about how effective they are. In this article, the authors provide a representative review of the summative evaluations of persuasive conservation programs. It is concluded that there is an underuse of quasi-experimental techniques and qualitative analysis. Most have been too broad to allow for specific suggestions for improving campaigns. In the second half of the review, an outline of a communications model is offered and literature relating to both input and output variables pertaining to persuasion summarized. Gaps in understanding are identified. The need to systematically research behavioral change models to improve understanding and performance of persuasive water conservation campaigns is discussed.

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This paper outlines a five year investigation which aimed to develop a measurement to predict community intended behaviour in relation to the reuse of wastewater. It has been apparent that communities support the concept of water reuse as a means of responsible water resources management. However, reactions from people when it comes to actually using the recycled water are frequently quite different, particularly when it involves close personal contact or ingestion of the water. Little has been known of how people make their decisions to accept or reject schemes. Therefore, a research program was designed to systematically identify, measure and test the major factors that govern people's decision-making. A social experiment was designed whereby a large group of random community members participated in tasting and swallowing what they believed to be recycled water from different sources and products grown with recycled waters. This provided an immediate experience for the development of measures of psychological and other factors in decisions to taste and/or swallow. This then formed the basis for whole of city surveys which tested and refined an hypothesised model of intended behaviour, and three case studies over time which sought to replicate the model.

This paper follows from a previous one by the authors which described the development of a behavioural model to predict community intended behaviour in relation to proposed wastewater recycling schemes where close personal contact is involved. This paper now outlines the confirmation of the robustness of the model for use as a tool by proponents of such recycling schemes, and to provide details of the model's indicator measures, including the "yuck factor", to allow easy applicability to future developments. It outlines the individual items that are asked in a questionnaire format, and provides evidence of the reliability and validity of the measures. The model was replicated and again proved to have a powerful predictive capability. The paper concludes by suggesting how the model can best be used as a tool in the planning and implementation of wastewater reuse schemes and the next steps in gaining public acceptance, particularly for indirect potable uses.