Gaining Support for Direct Potable Water Reuse

Abstract

The success of future direct potable reuse projects is dependent on potential consumer acceptance. All of the other problems associated with potable reuse may be resolved, i.e., public health concerns, but the issue of public acceptance remains. In the future it will be necessary to develop strategies to deal with public unwillingness to drink reclaimed water. One promising strategy incorporates the principles of applied behavioral analysis and social marketing to achieve results. The purpose of this paper is to propose a detailed strategy, based on applied behavioral analysis and social marketing, that can be used to influence public opinion on the direct potable water reuse issue. Techniques used by social scientists will be explored in depth regarding this important issue.