Women's Role and Challenges in Household Water Conservation: A Case of Rawalpindi City

The availability of world freshwater that can be used by humans is very small in number compared with many people's estimates, especially for those living in regions with abundant of water. Water conservation should be done according to Islamic advice, then considering other users' water needs, maintaining water quality, saving energy, and considering increasing water demand as per population growth. Prior to the scarcity and water damage, water conservation needs to be done in non-domestic and domestic / household levels. Household water conservation can be done through behavioural change and technological change. This study focuses on changes in household behavior in water conservation related to the role of women. A qualitative approach is applied in this study by conducting interviews with resource persons who play a significant role in environmental issues and some are housewives. The results show that household water conservation can be done in simple and easy ways, for example by monitoring water use by children, choosing water-saving ways of gardening, washing clothes at once, and so on. The role of women in household water conservation is significant because women are the main users of water and women can educate children early on. The government is expected to arrange strategies to promote water conservation on a household scale by educating and disseminating it to women's associations at the village level.Keywords :

Some difficulties and inconsistencies when using habit strength and reasoned action variables in models of metered household water conservation

Household water conservation: The role of indirect energy savings

Abstract. The increased availability of end use measurement studies allows for mechanistic and detailed approaches to estimating household water demand and conservation potential. This study simulates water use in a single-family residential neighborhood using end-water-use parameter probability distributions generated from Monte Carlo sampling. This model represents existing water use conditions in 2010 and is calibrated to 2006–2011 metered data. A two-stage mixed integer optimization model is then developed to estimate the least-cost combination of long- and short-term conservation actions for each household. This least-cost conservation model provides an estimate of the upper bound of reasonable conservation potential for varying pricing and rebate conditions. The models were adapted from previous work in Jordan and are applied to a neighborhood in San Ramon, California in the eastern San Francisco Bay Area. The existing conditions model produces seasonal use results very close to the metered data. The least-cost conservation model suggests clothes washer rebates are among most cost-effective rebate programs for indoor uses. Retrofit of faucets and toilets is also cost-effective and holds the highest potential for water savings from indoor uses. This mechanistic modeling approach can improve understanding of water demand and estimate cost-effectiveness of water conservation programs.

Residential water conservation programmes can play an important role in water management planning; yet, in spite of water shortages, such programmes have rarely been implemented in Bulgaria. This paper examines the obstacles and opportunities for household water conservation in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. Key informant interviews, focus groups, and a questionnaire were employed in collecting data regarding attitudes toward water management and conservation in Blagoevgrad. Results indicate a general lack of knowledge among residents regarding water saving devices and practices. The local water company has not placed a high value on water conservation education. Nevertheless, most residents show positive attitudes toward water conservation and a readiness to adopt water saving practices.

Behavioural nudges for water conservation in unequal settings: Experimental evidence from Cape Town

Amidst the persistent drought disaster declared in 2015, the Amathole District Municipality grapples with severe water scarcity issues, particularly affecting local municipalities such as Mbhashe and Mnquma. Consequently, households in these areas confront the challenges of unreliable and contaminated water sources, prompting them to adopt water conservation measures to mitigate shortages. This study investigates the efficacy of water conservation methods among rural households in these drought-affected regions. It identifies associated challenges and potential interventions to ensure access to clean and dependable water. Employing a mixed methods approach, the study examines household water conservation practices through narrative analysis and descriptive statistics of survey data. Findings reveal that storing water in drums, containers, and tanks is the most prevalent conservation method, alongside measures like greywater reuse, lifestyle adjustments, and rainwater harvesting. With financial constraints and infrastructural limitations hindering broader adoption, the study found water conservation to be a challenge among the households as a minority (7.8%) of respondents adopted multiple water conservation strategies. In comparison, most respondents (73.6%) could only afford to practice one water conservation strategy at a time, and others (18.6%) had no conservation strategies. Drought conditions, lack of infrastructure, poverty, and attitudinal factors are primary barriers to effective water conservation. The study underscores the need for municipal-level initiatives to enhance water sources and advocates for increased investment in education, awareness campaigns, and policy interventions to address rural communities’ water scarcity challenges.

Water scarcity poses a major sustainability challenge for Pakistan’s social, economic and environmental conditions. Implementing effective domestic water conservation techniques can significantly reduce consumption and wastage amidst supply constraints. This study evaluates household water conservation behaviors and drivers in Faisalabad city using primary survey data from 140 urban and rural households. Descriptive analysis is conducted to assess water usage patterns, infrastructure access, and conservation habits. An ordered logit model is estimated to determine the socioeconomic factors influencing adoption of daily water saving practices. The results indicate that basic no-cost actions like controlled tap use and leak monitoring are widely practiced across both urban and rural residences. However, the uptake of advanced solutions like rainwater harvesting remains limited. Age, family size and location are significant predictors of conservation orientation. Older residents, smaller families and rural households display greater propensity for prudent water use. The findings suggest that tailored educational programs, inclusive technologies, and pricing mechanisms can further propagate sustainable utilization behaviors, especially among young urban cohorts. Building an enduring culture of conservation is imperative to overcoming Pakistan’s escalating water scarcity crisis.

The study reported here provides the most current empirical data on household water conservation strategies and behaviors in the city of Ada, Oklahoma. Survey data was collected in the summer of 2017. The results indicate that households in Ada employ several strategies to conserve water including checking and repairing water leakages around the house (90%), washing dishes by hand (83%), lowering the water level on washing machines and using the dishwasher with full loads (72%). Additionally, the following factors are identified as having the greatest influence on a household water conservation drive; drought (92%), pollution of fresh water, and substantial increases in water bills (91%). In contrast to previous works, it is notable that our findings on pollution of freshwater sources as a water conservation motive are unique to this study. Regarding efficacy, the results indicate that households in Ada are aware of the need to conserve water and generally have a positive attitude towards water conservation (90%). These findings are remarkable for several reasons. Most importantly, they provide recent data on a collection of conservation strategies employed by household in a rural American town. We conclude the study by suggesting policy options that should be considered by policymakers when developing strategies to incentivize effective water conservation practices. These include; encouraging water efficiencies regarding the use of household appliances, the use of pricing, and the application of restrictive local ordinances.

Outdoor water use, especially for lawn and landscaping irrigation, accounts for a substantial proportion of residential water use and often peaks during summer months. Understanding how to reduce outdoor water use can play a critical role in balancing the increasing demand for and subsequent protection of water resources. This study aims to find out if information-based strategies can be effective in reducing homeowners’ water use as well as identifying the key determinants that can enhance water conservation campaigns. Using online survey data from 2077 randomly selected urban homeowners with home lawns in a relatively water-rich state, we found that social norm-based information is generally more effective to promote household water conservation behavior than education information. Moreover, the results showed that the households’ water-saving actions, lawn watering knowledge, awareness for local water scarcity, attitudes toward water conservation, socio-demographics, and landscape characteristics all play a role in determining household water conservation intention.

Highlighting the practice of water conservation (PWC) is a safe way to accomplish water savings. Nevertheless, parameters affecting behavior change linked to water use keep uncertain. In this study, 467 residents (female: 272; male: 195) from three villages situated in the commune of Pelengana in Segou, Mali were investigated in order to analyze the effects of awareness, perceptions and individual water-use patterns control on PWC, and also the influence of gender on inhabitants' PWC. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post-hoc LSD tests were used in analyzing different data. Participants were very familiar with PWC, but stated low involvement in PWC, especially among men consumers. Although women adopted more PWC than men, the amount of water consumed by these women was more twice greater that of men. Women consumers engaged in PWC principally to reduce water costs, while men consumers applied PWC principally for water scarcity reduction. Daily habits changes and demands of extra time and effort were the principal obstacles for PWC, notably for men consumers. In all, there is a pressing need to enhance information clarity and communication among gender, consumers, and decision-makers to strengthen social assistance for water conservation. Keywords: Water conservation, behavior, gender, awareness, water-use patterns, Mali's rural area DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/63-05 Publication date: March 31 st 2020

Water scarcity has become a perennial problem affecting many households in Nigeria. While water resources in Nigeria are constrained, demand for water has increased and outstripped supply. This is largely due to rapid population growth, economic and agricultural growth, climate change and high standard of living among certain cadres. This paper examines the level of public awareness on the choice of plumbing materials in household water conservation. A well-structured questionnaire was administered to homeowners, plumbers and plumbing materials vendors. The result shows that the choice of plumbing materials is largely based on durability, aesthetic and affordability of the product. The research also revealed that many home owners and plumbers in Akure are not aware of water saving devices which is a common water demand conservation strategy that have recorded high degree of success in many developed and developing countries. It is recommended that government should embark on aggressive public enlightenment campaign through government agencies like National Orientation Agencies (NOA), Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Federal and State Ministry of Water Resources to sensitize public on the use of household water conservation devices to reduce water demand.

Achieving persistence in household behavior modification has been a central but elusive goal of environmental conservation attempts that rely on behavioral interventions. We implemented a habit change intervention, designed to achieve persistent change in household water conservation behavior in an affluent residential community in urban India. We found a 15 to 25% reduction in household water consumption in the absence of any volumetric pricing. Most importantly, the effects of our 5-wk intervention persisted for more than a year, after which marginal pricing was introduced. The treatment gap was not bridged even after a year under the marginal price regime.

Save-water campaigns are the most common tools for promoting household water conservation. Despite their popularity, there is some debate about how effective they are. In this article, the authors provide a representative review of the summative evaluations of persuasive conservation programs. It is concluded that there is an underuse of quasi-experimental techniques and qualitative analysis. Most have been too broad to allow for specific suggestions for improving campaigns. In the second half of the review, an outline of a communications model is offered and literature relating to both input and output variables pertaining to persuasion summarized. Gaps in understanding are identified. The need to systematically research behavioral change models to improve understanding and performance of persuasive water conservation campaigns is discussed.

The public receives environmental information from a variety of sources. Evaluation of a single program or one organization's effort is incomplete. Through surveys and interviews, we evaluate the cumulative impact of outreach by 20 water-related organizations in Maricopa County, Arizona. Household water conservation is a topic addressed by 18 organizations whereas 2 share information on water policy. Similar foci across organizations may help reinforce messages about water conservation, quality, or drought, but can also lead to gaps in water education. These gaps may decrease the relevance of water information to some audiences. Future research should examine additional ways that interorganizational relationships affect the geography of information opportunities and its relevance to unique populations.