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Outline Background

Research aim

Assumptions

Case studies

Findings

Summary

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Background High population growth – high water demand in cities

Increasing demand for potable water in South Africa is driven by a host of factors:

in-migration, economic growth, UFW

frequent/prolonged drought periods

climate change impacts

Water service authorities have to find alternative sources of water

Use of reclaimed water has become an attractive (available, viable, cheaper, safer) alternative to augment water supplies

Key challenges:

Public/User acceptance (2208)

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Why reuse of reclaimed water is a problem?

Little is known about using reclaimed water for domestic application in South Africa as related to public/user acceptance in particular

Key issues in this regard relate to:

How both institutions and the public/users respond to issues of water scarcity and choice regarding reclaimed water for direct potable re-use ?

What should institutions communicate to the public/users in this regard ?

Which are appropriate strategies for improving public /users acceptance?

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Institutional Public/Users

Importance of reclaimed wastewater to augment water supplies is not well understood

Variable institutional capacity to implement water reuse technologies

Limited capability of institutions to obtain funding for implementing reclaimed wastewater reuse systems

Inadequate use of participatory tools for influencing public behaviour and perception

Inadequate understanding by the public/users of treatment technologies and water quality parameters

Low trust between the public/users and water providers

Is the reuse of reclaimed wastewater is an option from…

Social perspectives?

Institutional perspectives? Technical perspectives?

Research Aim

To address implications of reusing reclaimed water for domestic application by developing strategies and tools to introduce and improve public understanding of benefits

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Key issues of interest…

Public has not taken the same steps in logical phased approach 7

Institution Public

Feasibility study – treatment

technology

Risk Management - water security

status

Reconciliation study – reuse

decision

Implementation – O&M procedures

Water supply risks

Reuse decision

Cost & Safety

Trust

Water scarcity -

Assumption

There is a knowledge deficit where there is a disconnect between the service provider and the public who are being served This disconnect is the root of the negative public perceptions

Inadequate engagement with the public leads to

misconceptions about the technology and its viable application as a solution to water scarcity for the public domain.

Water users are more likely to accept direct potable water reuse if relationships of trust have been built between the municipality and the user by leveling the playing fields and creating enabling spaces for meaningful knowledge sharing and active engagement between the public and the service provider

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Case studies*

International * National**

Australia (Operational) Beaufort West (Operational)*&**

USA (Operational)

California

Colorado

New Mexico

Texas

eThekwini (Planned and rejected/on hold)

Namibia (Operational) City of Cape Town (Planned – early stage)

Singapore George (Implemented but not operational)*

Overstrand (Planned & advanced stage)*

Atlantis

* Desktop

** Field work

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Findings

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Factors contributing to reclaimed water reuse

International case studies South African case studies

Demand management Imported water – costly, may not be

available Protect coastal groundwater quality Replenish local aquifers Augment groundwater supplies Rapidly growing population Decreasing ground water supply Reduce dependence on imported

supplies. Drought – Demand from community for

greener water strategies, water conservation.

Increased industrial and agricultural needs.

Water shortages Regulations

• Severe drought • Immediate lack of drinking water • Existing water sources inadequate • Augment water availability • Prevent environmental pollution • Minimizing health and

environmental risks. • Population and economic growth • Lack of alternative/viable water

resources • Depletion of available water

resources • Water abstraction restriction • Limited aquifer yield • Long term planning

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Impacts of factors on the public

Various impacts have been identified and include: Augmentation of water supply,

Tariffs and willingness to pay

Distribution of water sparingly,

Change of living conditions

Fear of drinking water of sub-standard quality (health and safety concerns)

This study establishes that: Impacts on the public/users depend on the extent and severity of the situation,

particularly in the case of drought conditions.

Impacts of factors influencing reclaimed water reuse are a function of visibility.

Where these impacts are apparent (as in cases where emergency attention is needed, such as droughts), considering reclaimed water reuse for domestic application was more apparent to the public/users.

The way institutions rank the factors and their impact is not established

There is knowledge gaps in understand how the decision is made

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Public/users perceptions of reclaimed water reuse

Approaches to involving the public/users include:

Public survey, public meetings, media, notices and awareness

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Factors leading to Refusal* Factors leading to Acceptance*

Disgust or ‘yuck’ factor Risks associated with using recycled

water The specific uses of the recycled water The sources of water to be recycled The issue of choice Trust in the authorities and scientific

knowledge Attitudes toward the environment Environmental justice issues Cost of recycled water Socio-demographic factors

*Po et al., (2003)

Minimal degree of human contact; Clarity of protection of public health and

protection of the environment; Clear benefit with regard to promotion of water

conservation; Reasonable cost of treatment and distribution

technologies and systems; Minimal perception of wastewater as the source of

recycled water; Awareness of water supply problems in the

community; Clarity of the importance of water recycling in

water supply scheme; Perception of the quality of recycled water; Confidence in local management of public utilities

and technologies. *Hartley (2003) - AWR (2013)

Roles of institutions

Roles of institutions in reclaimed water reuse include: Initiating and conducting a reconciliation study Service provision and water quality monitoring Development of an Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM)

Action Plan Funding Liaison with the public/users and other institutions Regulations and water quality assurance Information sharing between water service providers and the

public/users

These roles are scattered amongst various stakeholders

Key role concerns two way communication

This role is established within municipalities but

capacities are lacking to ensure that those involved communicate effectively and respond adequately to public concerns

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Institutional capacities

In context of this study institutional capacities include:

o financial capabilities of water institutions to initiate, implement and monitor reclaimed water reuse,

o human resources requirements to ensure adequate functioning of plant or scheme, water quality monitoring and operation and maintenance

o institutional arrangements amongst partner institutions involved in reclaimed water reuse.

o Capability to communicate with public/users on decision-making process

In South Africa, this study establishes that

Municipalities are not financially and technically capable on their own to

initiate, implement and run reclaimed water reuse;

their role is limited to decision-making to manage risks that can occur from

water scarcity.

This lack of capacity has been addressed by involving other institutions such

as Treasury (for funding purpose), DWA (for reconciliation studies), private

consultants (for feasibility studies and service level agreement).

Institutional capacity to communicate with public is established (through

CLO). However, their knowledge regarding RWW reuse is limited 15

Approaches to introducing reclaimed water reuse

Many Approaches for introducing reclaimed water exists:

The most commonly used are public meetings, media and survey

In South Africa, no documented strategies exist and the situation is addressed as it occurs. Approached used or planned to be used include:

Public meetings

Use of flyers

Media (all)

Notices (at municipal offices , shops and attraction areas)

School awareness

Guided plant visit

This study established that

Strategies are developed around factors that led to decision to reuse reclaimed water

Strategies are being developed to ensure a water supply risk continuum in response to natural and human induced factors (drought for example) or long term planning.

In SA, consultants are outsourced to address the public (e.g. WQ specialist)

It is unclear When and for How long such strategies should be in place?

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Summary (1)

Institutions play various roles in reclaimed water reuse: • Communication using different strategies to reach the public/users

• Effectiveness of approaches are not well established

• Economic implications inform decision-making process & public acceptance

Social aspects of reclaimed water for direct potable reuse: • Factors leading to acceptance or refusal are subject to visibility

• Strategies used to address the public evolve around factors

• Public concerns regarding RWR are about risk and safety (WQ)

• Public acceptance revolves around safety issues

Key issues emerging from the review to be further investigated include:

The capacity of institution in fulfilling the roles of informing the public/users

How should institutions inform the public regarding factors contributing to reuse of reclaimed wastewater and decision making process

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Summary (2)

Factors contributing to reuse of reclaimed water informs development of strategies to address public/users concerns

Impacts of these factors on the public/users can influence acceptance or refusal of reclaimed water reuse (e.g. drought vs. population/economic growth)

Strategies for introducing reclaimed water develop around different factors that contributed to reuse decision

Institutional capacities include financial, technical and communicational.

communicational capacity is available but limited due to:

o Inadequate knowledge regarding water treatment, reclaimed water reuse, and strategies to adequately address and respond to public/users concerns

o Knowledge deficit regarding What needs to be communicated to the public/users, How and When?

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Acknowledgments WRC for funding this research

Community Water Supply and Sanitation Unit - Cape Peninsula University of Technology

The research team

The following municipalities

Overstrand

Beaufort West

eThekwini

George

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For more information regarding this ongoing research please contact

muandac@cput.ac.za

Thank you

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