Is the global public willing to drink recycled water? A review for researchers and practitioners

Abstract

This study provides practitioners with an overview of previous research on public perceptions of drinking recycled water. Support for potable reuse varies widely across countries, but it is clear that the public is very responsive to context and information. Previous research has made limited use of the fact that (a) wastewater effluent is already present in water supplies across the world, and (b) awareness of this fact can make individuals ten times more likely to highly support potable reuse. Successful projects in Singapore and San Diego provide evidence that well-designed public relations campaigns can effectively manage community concerns.