USE OF A PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS STUDY TO ASSIST POLICY MAKING FOR RECLAIMED WATER REUSE

Water reuse has different driving forces. For Cyprus, a water scarce country, reclaimed water can be a significant supplemental water supply. An assessment of the public acceptance of potential wastewater reuse is necessary, if a sustainable water reuse scheme is to be achieved. An effort to identify the areas of most concern among various stakeholders in Cyprus, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the Republic of Cyprus, was undertaken. Specially-designed questionnaires were distributed to three distinct population groups; (a) farmers (N=100), (b) water experts from the private and public sectors (N=100) and (c) the general public (N=850). The questionnaires comprised of 40 questions and were divided into distinct sections such as economic factors, education and awareness, social / cultural factors, and trust in processes, scientists, and regulatory authorities. Results obtained showed that 50% of survey participants (excluding water experts) are not aware of the origin of recycled water, and 35% ignore the mere existence of wastewater treatment plants, while 80% of the public would like to know more about water recycling. 80% of respondents believe that environmental education in schools is a more effective measure for promoting water reuse schemes, in contrast to only 50% of people who believe that support from the government would help achieve similar results. While 70% of respondents consider water bills high enough already, an equal percentage of people is willing to pay as much as an additional 10% on their water bill, if this were to promote a sound water recycling scheme. 70% of the people think that subsidies would better help promote water reuse schemes, while 50% of the people feel that direct enforcement or fines would not help. 80% of respondents accept recycled water for such uses as landscape irrigation and fire-fighting; however, this acceptance percentage drops sharply, to 50% for crop irrigation use, 45% for groundwater recharge, and to 30% for augmentation of water in reservoir dams (non-potable). Only 20% of the participants believe that there is adequate control and proper checks for recycled water quality, paralleling the fact that only 30% of the people trust the authorities. Results suggest that policy emphasis should be placed on education, conducted through academic institutions. Additionally, a public image enhancement of the Authorities would help. Economic instruments should follow market-based mechanisms and subsidies, as opposed to direct enforcement or taxation. Some increase in water recycling fees would be accepted, if coupled with an educational campaign.