Exploring the social acceptability for the desalination plant project: Perceptions from the stakeholders

Abstract

Owing to the extreme climate and growing water demand, water shortage problem has become a new norm. Desalination fills the gap in the water supply, and the daily capacity of desalinated water is increasing. However, desalination projects may be delayed due to the conflicts from stakeholders and the public. Therefore, it is crucial to explore social acceptability to understand social risks in desalination development. This study employed semi-structured interviews and grounded theory to summarize the qualitative factors and conceptual framework of stakeholders' perceptions on desalination. Additionally, quantitative questionnaires were conducted to survey the general trend in public perception. The interview results clarify five emerging themes regarding stakeholders' opinions on desalination. A conceptual framework of interplay among the five themes is also established to elaborate on the stakeholders' perceptions. According to the questionnaire results, 66.7% of the respondents believed problems of water scarcity in the future, 63.4% supported the implementation of desalination, 75.1% considered that the location and time of public hearings should accommodate the residents' needs. Most respondents (81.8%) agreed that desalination plants use green energy to reduce environmental impacts. Furthermore, it was found that the public's occupation is correlated with the acceptance of the desalination plant project.