How do people's perceptions of water quality influence the life cycle environmental impacts of drinking water in Uganda?

Abstract

Over the last two decades, more than 2 billion people have gained access to improved drinking water sources. The choices for water sources and treatment methods at the household level are influenced by people's perceptions of water quality. To ensure long-term sustainability, it is important to evaluate the environmental impacts of water provisions considering people's perceptions. In this study, the life cycle assessment (LCA) method and qualitative data collected from household interviews are used to determine the environmental impacts associated with water sources and household treatment methods. Results showed discrepancies between perceived and measured water qualities. In the case of tap water (i.e. low perceived water quality but high measured water quality), charcoal was used for boiling water at the household level that resulted in a high environmental impact due to a chronic over-treatment of water. In contrast, rainwater (i.e. high perceived water quality but low measured water quality) received under-treatment that resulted in a low environmental impact but potential health problems. This study highlights the need for an alignment in the perceptions of water quality with the actual, measured quality in order (1) to prevent public health outbreaks due to under-treatment, (2) to reduce the consumption of environmental resources as a result of over-treatment, and (3) to conserve household expenditures being used to purchase charcoal for boiling water.