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Water is in a constant state of circulation and reuse. Most reuse is unplanned, suggesting significant potential for planned reuse. Yet, attempts to implement planned potable reuse of wastewater have often been countered by public resistance. Based mostly on analyses from high-income countries, scholars have argued that educating people on the technical processes of wastewater reuse will lead to increased public acceptance. Our research explores the relationship between knowledge of wastewater treatment technology and acceptance of direct potable wastewater reuse and examines the perspectives of residents of lower and middle countries in context with, and in comparison to, residents of wealthier countries. Using data collected through semi-structured interviews with residents in community sites in Guatemala, Fiji, New Zealand, and Spain, our analysis highlights how little knowledge of wastewater treatment technology exists and that such knowledge has little bearing on wastewater reuse acceptability. Rather, cultural factors like trust are likely key. We propose that efforts to increase acceptance of potable wastewater reuse needs to be focused on explicitly cultural factors like trust more so than public education in the strict sense.
Key words: water, wastewater, knowledge, public acceptance
Introduction
As a result of both climate change and politicaleconomic failures, we are facing a global fresh water crisis. One proposed solution is the planned potable reuse of wastewater. Most wastewater reuse is unplanned. It occurs through de facto reuse or the unplanned presence of wastewater in the water supply as part of the water cycle (Asano et al. 2007). Technology now exists to treat wastewater to levels equal or superior to current potable water standards (Bixio et al. 2005); Bontoux (1998) estimates that wastewater reuse could meet 15 percent of global water consumption.
In recognition of the potential of wastewater reuse, the 2017 World Water Day theme was "Why Waste Water." The campaign focused on Sustainable Development Goal 6, target 3, which requires the world to "improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally" (UN General Assembly 2015). The UN-Water report also focused on the potential of wastewater as a resource, highlighting the positive impacts that reuse can have on freshwater supplies, human and...