Public attitude toward expanding the reuse of treated wastewater in the United Arab Emirates

• Published in: Environment, development and sustainability development and sustainability, 2020-12, Vol.22 (8), p.7887-7908
• Main Authors: Abdelrahman, Rasha M., Khamis, Sameh E., Rizk, Zeinelabidin E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural wastes; Attitudes; Chi-square test; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Economic Geology; Economic Growth; Environment; Environmental Economics; Environmental Management; Fees & charges; Groundwater; Groundwater depletion; Incentives; Measuring instruments; Public opinion; Respondents; Reuse; Statistical significance; Statistical tests; Sustainable Development; Variance analysis; Wastewater; Wastewater reuse; Wastewater treatment; Water conservation; Water resources; Water reuse; Water shortages; Water treatment; Willingness to pay
• ISSN: 1387-585X; 1573-2975
• DOI: 10.1007/s10668-019-00551-w

In 2015, the treated wastewater production was 711 million cubic meters (mm 3 ) per year, in which 511 mm 3 was used, while the remaining 200 mm 3 was disposed in the sea or wasted in desert areas. By 2030, the projected volume of produced wastewater is about 1400 mm 3 , each drop of which has to be utilized. This study examined the public attitude toward expansion of treated wastewater reuse in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A multiple-choice questionnaire which covered demographic information, knowledge related to water resources and attitude was prepared and posted online. The answers of 1304 UAE residents (male = 444 and female = 860) were collected, presented and analyzed with the use of T test, one-way ANOVA and Chi-square. Results show that 30% of respondents are aware of the water shortage problem, while the remaining 70% are unaware (30%) or do not know (40%). However, the majority (80%) are taking measures to conserve water and are willing to pay extra fees for having centralized wastewater treatment systems installed where they live. There is a positive attitude toward the use of treated wastewater for some agricultural and industrial purposes. The respondents support the use of treated wastewater for preserving the environment and easing pressure on expensive desalinated water and depleting groundwater. Results also revealed statistical significance toward wastewater reuse based on gender, age, level of education and income. Respondents ranked incentives for reuse of treated wastewater and critics against reuse.