Development of Consumer Perception Index for assessing greywater reuse potential in arid environments

Abstract

Arab countries are primarily situated in arid environments and face serious water scarcity challenges due to growing populations, urbanization, and climate change impacts. Reusing greywater, if adequately treated at the point of generation, poses less human health risk as compared to blackwater reuse. Consumers have several reasons for being unwilling to reuse greywater, including potential health risk, religious and cultural concerns, and feeling uncomfortable. There are several possible reuse applications of treated greywater, such as watering plants, floor cleaning, landscaping, toilet flushing, etc. Therefore, it is important to assess consumer perceptions about greywater reuse before its implementation in any region. In this research, a framework based on greywater reuse indicators (GWRI) was developed to assess consumer perceptions before and after introducing low-cost treatment (LCT). Later the framework was implemented for Muscat, Oman. A questionnaire survey was carried out with 110 households located in diverse socioeconomic settings to collect data about general demographics, existing water uses, water sources, greywater applications (after LCT), and in-house plumbing systems. Seven key GWRI were estimated and aggregated to develop an overall consumer perception index (CPI). The study results revealed that CPI improved significantly from ‘very low’ to ‘high’ after introducing LCT. However, governments should provide financial assistance to consumers for improving in-house plumbing systems, based on detailed investigations. The studyrevealed that the CPI can be applied across the globe and can save time and effort for municipal managers, engineers, and policy makers by providing information that will enable effective decision-making.

Modelling Possible Household Uses of Grey Water in Poland using Property Fitting Analysis

“…This is also confirmed by other studies: in one study, nearly 80% of respondents would only be willing to invest in grey water systems in the event of significant subsidies or tax breaks [58]. In further studies, concerns about grey water use can be observed for religious and cultural reasons [57]. In contrast, surveys conducted in 12 countries indicate that hygiene concerns were the greatest concern related to the acceptance of grey water, especially in countries with significant water resources [58].…”

“…However, only 25% of the respondents were willing to use grey water for cooking [56]. In contrast, research conducted in Oman indicated that acceptable uses of treated grey water mainly included watering plants, washing floors, landscaping, and flushing toilets [57]. Other studies indicated that people would readily use treated grey water for purposes such as laundry, toilet flushing, car washing, and vegetable irrigation [58,59].…”

Risk-Yuck Factor Nexus in Reclaimed Wastewater for Irrigation: Comparing Farmers’ Attitudes and Public Perception

“…However, this could be not enough. A recent study conducted by Shafiquzzaman et al [156] focused on consumers' perception of water reuse products shows how it is necessary to develop a Consumer Perception Index (CPI) for assessing reclaimed wastewater reuse potential. The starting point to develop this index is the conception of consumer perception.…”

Public perceptions and perspectives on alternative sources of water for reuse generated at the household level

“…With regard to acceptable uses, most found reduction in acceptance as the reused water gets closer to human contact (Oteng-Peprah 2018). Shafiquzzaman et al (2018) propose developing an index of public perceptions for water reuse to determine whether reuse infrastructure projects should even be initiated. These trends reflect the importance of psychological factors and contrast with the view of socio-technological impediments are the greatest challenge to widespread adoption of reuse practices (Larsen et al 2016).…”