Acceptance of water recycling in Australia: National baseline data

Abstract

Water recycling is recognised by policy makers and the water supply industry as being an important strategy in the management of urban water supplies. Following prolonged drought conditions, combined with predicted water demand, sewer mining has been given the official go ahead in Sydney, indirect potable reuse is back on the planning agenda and various alternatives, including desalination, are either established, planned, or in the process of being implemented. With wide acknowledgement of the need for triple bottom line outcomes, the social aspect of water recycling needs to be considered along with the economic and environmental benefits. To what extent do Australians accept the introduction of water recycling as a water conservation strategy? Key results of a national survey (n=2504) are presented in this paper that confirm the historical preference for non potable (not for drinking) uses of reclaimed water. In addition, this research finds that householders are willing to use a range of alternative sources of water in the home and for purposes that will involve direct bodily contact.