Socio-demographic factors and treated wastewater reuse in the MENA region: Insights and implications

Abstract

Decision-makers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are looking for ways to recycle wastewater to meet the demand for water amidst scarcity. Reusing treated wastewater is crucial for managing water resources sustainably, particularly in water-stressed nations in arid regions of the world that rely on desalination and groundwater to meet their water needs. This study looks into how socio-demographic factors affect how the general public feels about utilizing wastewater for various purposes. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 1206 respondents throughout the MENA region, and descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the results. The MENA region is found to recognize the environmental benefits of reuse, but prefers applications that have less direct human interaction such as flushing toilets, non-food industries, car washes, home cleaning, and firefighting. The public is open to reuse as long as it is approved by professionals such as medical experts, university professors and experts. Gender and wealth did not significantly influence the confidence to use treated wastewater for most reuse applications. Still, age and education level did not have a major impact. All respondents agreed to use treated wastewater for non-food business, car washing, home cleaning, and firefighting. Study findings provide insight into the attitudes and perceptions of individuals toward treated wastewater reuse, and can inform future efforts to promote the acceptance and implementation of these applications.