Quantifying the influence of environmental and water conservation attitudes on household end use water consumption

• Published in: Journal of environmental management 2011-08, Vol.92 (8), p.1996-2009
• Main Authors: Willis, Rachelle M., Stewart, Rodney A., Panuwatwanich, Kriengsak, Williams, Philip R., Hollingsworth, Anna L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Attitudes; attitudes and opinions; Biological and medical sciences; cities; Cluster Analysis; Conservation of Natural Resources; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Consumption; Demand; Demand management; Discriminant analysis; Domestic water end use; Drinking; Economics - statistics & numerical data; Environment; Environmental attitudes; Environmental protection; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Households; Humans; Individual behaviour; irrigation; issues and policy; Management; Marketing; planning; Policies; Public Opinion; Queensland; questionnaires; Smart metering; surveys; Urban areas; Water conservation; Water conservation attitudes; Water consumption; water demand management; Water resources management; Water Supply - statistics & numerical data
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.03.023

Within the research field of urban water demand management, understanding the link between environmental and water conservation attitudes and observed end use water consumption has been limited. Through a mixed method research design incorporating field-based smart metering technology and questionnaire surveys, this paper reveals the relationship between environmental and water conservation attitudes and a domestic water end use break down for 132 detached households located in Gold Coast city, Australia. Using confirmatory factor analysis, attitudinal factors were developed and refined; households were then categorised based on these factors through cluster analysis technique. Results indicated that residents with very positive environmental and water conservation attitudes consumed significantly less water in total and across the behaviourally influenced end uses of shower, clothes washer, irrigation and tap, than those with moderately positive attitudinal concern. The paper concluded with implications for urban water demand management planning, policy and practice.