Influencing domestic water use behaviour to target long-term water conservation

“Humanity faces unprecedented drought-related challenges, which requires higher investment levels in infrastructure and energy. In their paper, Dr Stef Koop and Dr Stijn Brouwer from KWR Water Research Institute argue that domestic water conservation can reduce costs and promote pro-environmental behaviour. Their literature review identifies eight empirical Behavioural Influencing Tactics (BITs) that might instigate household behavioural changes in relation to water conservation.
Humanity’s dietary habits, consumption patterns, and climate change-related droughts increase global water security threats. Household changes in water consumption behaviours can significantly contribute to alleviating water stresses. The global disparities in behaviour indicate how altered water consumption patterns might stabilise water security; for example, average water usage per person per day stands at 575 litres in the United States and 131 litres in China. In less industrialised countries, this number is much lower.”

(Citation: Koop, S.H.A., Brouwer, S. – Influencing domestic water use behaviour to target long-term water conservation – Researchfeatures.com (2021)June)