Sustainable water supply: Wastewater recycling in gold mining communities in Ghana

Abstract

Increasing small-scale mining has resulted in water pollution in various mining communities. Supplying potable water is certainly a very important task that needs to be addressed properly at local, national, and international levels. Based on this, the need for wastewater recycling in mining communities becomes necessary. This study combines the Self-Determination theory and Norm activation model with community identity to investigate willingness to recycle (WTR) wastewater in mining communities. Using data from 504 miners and adopting the partial least square structural equation modeling, analysis has been made. It is revealed that intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation positively influence WTR. Awareness of consequences and ascription of responsibilities both have a positive influence on personal norms. Personal norm is a positive predictor of WTR. Community identity positively influences motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic), personal norms, and WTR. The mediating roles of personal norms and intrinsic and extrinsic motivation are also established in the designed model. Theoretical and practical implications have been outlined and discussed for future studies and authorities. Collaboration from the government, private sectors, NGOs, localists, and concession owners is needed for a sustainable water supply.