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

Ricart, Sandra; Rico, Antoni M.; Palom, Anna Ribas

doi:10.3390/w11020187

Cited by 46 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 148 publications

(143 reference statements)

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“…Furthermore, recycled water was judged as disgusting by 11.8% of farmers. There are authors who mention [41] that the emotion of disgust, or the so-called yuck factor, motivate resistance or rejection attitudes from farmers. Disgust is considered as a critical factor on the acceptance of recycled water in the broader literature [42,43].…”

Section: Research Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the Willingness to Pay for Using Recycled Water for Irrigation

2019

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The present study attempts to estimate individuals’ willingness to pay for recycled water irrigation, in order to enhance the water supply and ensure the continuation of irrigated agriculture in Nestos catchment. Contingent valuation method has been developed for the investigation of farmers’ preferences, in monetary terms, to adopt this alternative water source for irrigation purposes. The applied method is regularly followed in the framework of environmental valuation. The results of the survey are based on data collected from questionnaires, which were answered by respondents at a river basin scale. In a representative sample of 302 farmers, we find that 64.2% of them expressed a positive stance towards using recycled water, a fact that results in lower environmental impacts. However, findings indicate that participants are willing to pay a significantly less amount of money than they already pay, for freshwater. Additionally, the analysis demonstrates that the use of recycled water in agriculture is more acceptable to respondents who are aware of its environmental benefits. Therefore, the provision of complete information on the welfare of using recycled water for irrigation to farmers may lead to greater adoption intention and a greater environmental benefit.

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Section: Research Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the Willingness to Pay for Using Recycled Water for Irrigation

2019

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“…For fresh crops, preference should be given to drip irrigation; surface furrow irrigation has no special restrictions for other crops and sprinkler irrigation is preferentially dedicated to forage crops, or crops with post-harvest processing. Farmers should be informed about special hygiene and safety precautions where microbiological contamination is most at risk [59].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing Irrigation Management at District Scale Based on Water Monitoring: Study on Lis Valley, Portugal

et al. 2020

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Irrigation districts play a decisive role in Portuguese agriculture and require the adaptation to the new water management paradigm through a change in technology and practices compatible with farmers’ technical know-how and economic sustainability. Therefore, improvement of water management, focusing on water savings and increasing farmers’ income, is a priority. In this perspective, an applied research study is being carried out on the gravity-fed Lis Valley Irrigation District to assess the performance of collective water supply, effectiveness of water pumping, and safety of crop production due to the practice of reuse of drainage water. The water balance method was applied at irrigation supply sectors, including gravity and Pumping Irrigation Allocation. The average 2018 irrigation water allocated was 7400 m3/ha, being 9.3% by pumping recharge, with a global efficiency of about 67%. The water quality analysis allowed identifying some risk situations regarding salinization and microbiological issues, justifying action to solve or mitigate the problems, especially at the level of the farmers’ fields, according to the crops and the irrigation systems. Results point to priority actions to consolidate improved water management: better maintenance and conservation of infrastructure of hydraulic infrastructures to reduce water losses and better flow control; implementation of optimal operational plans, to adjust the water demand with distribution; improvement of the on-farm systems with better water application control and maintenance procedures; and improvement of the control of water quality on the water reuse from drainage ditches. The technological innovation is an element of the modernization of irrigation districts that justifies the development of multiple efforts and synergies among stakeholders, namely farmers, water users association, and researchers.

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“…Both strategies (CWs and AWECs) needs for the collaboration between technicians and social scientists. Engineers can provide the best, safest, and efficient solutions to ensure water quality standards, whereas social scientists can facilitate better understanding of the reasons that explain rejection or acceptance from farmers and the public perception to alternative water resources for agricultural use [63]. Furthermore, managers can take profit of this coupled technical-social approach to promote integrated and participated water resources management [64].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges on European Irrigation Governance: From Alternative Water Resources to Key Stakeholders’ Involvement

Ricart¹

2019

JENR

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Europe's freshwater resources are under increasing stress in several regions, with a mismatch between demand for, and availability of, water resources across both temporal and geographical (spatial) scales. Human pressures have encouraged more active consideration of alternative water sources as a strategic option to supplement water supplies and protect natural resources. Recognition of the potential role of water reuse in such a strategy is now well embedded within both European and national policy communities. However, a lack of governance in decision-making processes focused on the benefits of using alternative water resources can motivate frustration to farmers and the public. In order to address this gap, the provision of water governance tools, strategies and policies are key issues than simply finding technical (or technocratic) solutions for matching, in space and time, and in quantity and quality, water demands and (alternative) water sources. The promotion of Constructed Wetlands (CWs) and Alternative Water Exchange Consortiums (AWECs) can be positive to ensure irrigation governance in the Anthropocene.

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

Cited by 46 publications

References 148 publications

Evaluating the Willingness to Pay for Using Recycled Water for Irrigation

Evaluating the Willingness to Pay for Using Recycled Water for Irrigation

Developing Irrigation Management at District Scale Based on Water Monitoring: Study on Lis Valley, Portugal

Challenges on European Irrigation Governance: From Alternative Water Resources to Key Stakeholders’ Involvement

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