Investigating the impact of technical, economic and social behavioral saving strategies on domestic water-saving consumption patterns in Shiraz

Abstract

The increasing demand for potable water resources worldwide due to population growth, drought, and unpredictable weather patterns resulting from climate change has led to a significant water crisis. To address this issue, it is essential to analyze domestic water consumption patterns and implement practical guidelines for water conservation programs in sustainable development.This study investigated the technical and social behavioral saving strategies affecting domestic water consumption patterns in a random survey of 100 householders in Shiraz City, Iran. The aim was to determine the public viewpoint and hindrances of water conservation methods. Technical questions in the questionnaire were related to water usage facilities and equipment, while social questions were related to people's attitudes, awareness, and hindrances toward water conservation. Three categories are used to cluster water-saving behavioral patterns i.e., curtailment, economic, and efficiency characteristics. Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques, including Simple Additive Weighted (SAW) and Analytic Hierarchy Processes (AHP), were used for the analysis of the comprehensive questionnaire data.Based on the results, people seem to prioritize Social-Curtailment characteristics that align with their habits and culture, as well as Technical-Curtailment characteristics that involve high water consumption, low cost, and easy implementation. To effectively communicate the proposed technical-economic factors of low cost, low consumption, and medium implementation, they can be conveyed to the public through carefully chosen socio-curtailment indicators.