Development of a self-rating system for domestic water consumption in Malaysia

Abstract

A positive growth in the global population would increase the need for clean water. Therefore, continuous, adequate, and sustainable clean water supply is a major concern in modern society. A highly effective approach to resolve this concern is to instil self-awareness in consumers. This study established a simple self-rating system for consumers to evaluate their domestic water usage. The rating classifications are ‘Poor’, ‘Fair’, ‘Average’, ‘Good’, and ‘Excellent’, based on a score established using statistical analysis. A high percentage of respondents received an Average (41.3%) or a Good (49.7%) rating. A lower percentage of respondents received a Fair (5.3%) or an Excellent (3.7%) rating. Minimising the frequency of indoor and outdoor activities, practising good water habits, including the use of water saving appliances such as dual-pump cisterns, buckets for showering and bathing, and rainwater harvesting systems are factors that contributed primarily to an Excellent rating. No respondent received a Poor rating, which suggests that there is intrinsic behaviour of good water usage and efforts to conserve water in the community. Consumers can become more aware of and motivated to use water saving practices when they can quantitatively rate their domestic water consumption thru the self-rating system developed in this study.