A Preliminary Study of Local Behaviour, Perceptions and Willingness to Pay Towards Better Water Quality in Pasir Mas, Tanah Merah, and Jeli, Malaysia

Abstract

Issues of water quality in Kelantan are often debated by various parties and have gained widespread media coverage. A study is carried out to assess behaviour of users in consuming water, their perceptions and willingness to pay for obtaining better water quality unit at home. Three districts in Kelantan namely; Pasir Mas, Tanah Merah, and Jeli were selected for the study. Questionnaire for 43 respondents in selected districts, interviewing local people, taking water samples, and sending for laboratory analysis were conducted. Shapiro-Wilk test and Spearman test were applied to analyse the results. It was shown that 46.5 % of the users for all drink have more than one source of water at home. Treated water supplied by Air Kelantan Sendirian Berhad was chosen by users as their main source for drinking. A closer look on users’ perception regarding water quality reveals that users were neutral about water quality from tap water (treated water supplied by local management) but they express optimistic on water’s quality from tube well. However, laboratory analysis of water from alternative sources proved otherwise. 83.7 % of 43 respondents willing to have water filter at home, and the willingness is proportional to the income of the user. These findings are essentials for household water management when multiple sources of water were used. This highlight the need study for water treatment industrial players to provide an efficient yet affordable water solution for the consumers.