Tap Water Supply Research Articles

Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses of Microplastics in Tap Water Supply Network in Iran

Background: Microplastics (MPs) exposure can affect humans in various ways, with tap water being one of the potential sources. Microplastics can absorb other pollutants and pose risks to both humans and the environment. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of MPs in tap water from the drinking water distribution system of Isfahan, Iran, and to determine the exposure to MPs from drinking tap water. Methods: Samples were collected from different points in the drinking water distribution system of Isfahan, Iran. Samples were prepared for analysis through filtration and chemical digestion. The MPs were counted using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the composition of MPs was analyzed using a micro-Raman spectrometer. Results: The concentration of MPs in tap water was found to be 287.0 ± 65.9 MPs/l. MPs ≤ 10 µm were the predominant sizes, and fibers were the predominant shape. Polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, and polypropylene were the most frequently identified MPs, respectively. Conclusions: Considering that the Iranian population consumes 7 - 15 liters of water daily for drinking and cooking, it is estimated that the average intake of MPs through cooking and drinking water is 2009 - 43,051 particles per day.

The Impact of drinking water source on disease transmission among pastoralists: The Case study of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

The study examined the impact of drinking water source on disease transmission among pastoralists, using a case study of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) in Tanzania. A total of four villages located in the NCA were sampled and studied, namely: Endulen, Nainokanoka, Kayapus and Meshili. This was a cross-sectional study which deployed questionnaires, direct observation, document reviews and focus group discussions. A total of 396 households participated in the survey. The collected data were analyzed using qualitative data analysis techniques and descriptive statistics such as frequencies. The study findings revealed that unfiltered waterholes shared among humans, livestock and wildlife accounted for 82.1%; indicating that it was the primary source of disease transmission. Other sources of disease transmissions were: the use of untreated tap water, rivers, spring water and rainwater. The factors influencing the use of unfiltered waterholes were limited access to tap water, scarcity of drinking water sources, drought, population increase and tourists. The co-usage of water coupled with lack of latrines suggest fecal contamination of drinking water sources. Women were more susceptible to waterborne diseases as they were more directly engaging in all domestic activities including fetching for water as compared to men. The waterborne diseases affecting pastoralist communities were diarrhea, cholera, skin infection, dysentery, worms and typhoid fever. The study concluded that there is a nexus between shared drinking water sources and the prevalence of high anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) infection rates. It is recommended that the adverse impacts of disease transmission on drinking water sources can be mitigated through increasing supply of tap water, using treated water and encouraging community use of pit latrines.

Did Cholera “Force” the Reform of Urban Water Infrastructure? Lessons from Nineteenth-Century Berlin

This study of Berlin’s nineteenth-century hydrological reconfiguration challenges the popular narrative that Europe’s recurrent cholera epidemics after 1831 motivated an efficient and scientific path to safe tap water supplies and sanitary sewers. Analysis of contemporary discourse reveals that the causal link between cholera and water infrastructure reform is weak and ambiguous, with aesthetic and industrial concerns taking precedence. Far from prompting effective action, miasmatic frameworks and the limited proto-epidemiological tools of the pre-bacteriological era led to inefficient and sometimes counterproductive approaches, potentially worsening urban mortality. Understanding Western Europe’s sanitary past provides important insights into the ongoing struggle for urban sanitation in today’s developing world.

Groundwater quality and people’s awareness – A case study in Hoang Tay commune, Kim Bang district, Ha Nam province

Abstract In this study, groundwater quality in Hoang Tay commune, Kim Bang districts, Ha Nam province was investigated. The results show that the groundwater in this area was highly polluted by arsenic (As), iron (Fe), ammonium (NH4 +), and coliform. Total As concentrations in the groundwater ranged from 0.06 to 0.178 mg/L. Although total As concentrations remarkably decreased after sand filtration (0.013-0.109 mg/L), As in the sand-filtered groundwater was still up to 10 times higher than the As safety limit (0.01 mg/L). In addition, the high concentration of Fe and the Fe/As ratio in Hoang Tay’s groundwater play a critical function in effectively removing As from groundwater. NH4 + level in groundwater was also remarkably high (8.62–58.8 mg/L), which is roundly 28 to 196 times higher than the NH4 + safety standard in Vietnam’s technical guideline on domestic water quality (QCVN 01:2018/BYT). The structured interview showed that most of interviewed people (69%) are aware of groundwater quality issues. However, due to the issues of tap water supply in the area, the majority of the households (78.3%) were still using groundwater for their drinking purposes and other daily activities. There is a high demand for safe water in this commune.

Microplastic accumulation, morpho-polymer characterization, and dietary exposure in urban tap water of a developing nation

The recent detection of microplastics (MPs) in a large number of commercially important food items and beverages, including tap water, has drawn significant attention because of direct exposure and negative health effects on humans. Nevertheless, there is insufficient information on microplastic contamination in the tap water of developing countries. In the present study, we primarily analyzed supplied tap water samples from four major cities in Bangladesh to determine and characterize MPs using a stereomicroscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Several indices were employed to calculate human health exposures to microplastics. MPs were found in all of the water samples tested, with an overall mean of 35.33 ± 19.55 particles/L. The results of this study diverge from those of comparable research conducted globally, revealing that tap water in Bangladesh exhibited higher levels of contamination compared to other nations. MPs were found in three different shapes (fibers, fragments, and films), with fibers dominating the samples (96.2%), and 98.1% of the microplastics were less than 0.5 mm in size. Six different colors of MPs were observed, and transparent particles were dominant (63.9% of all observed MPs). FTIR infrared spectrum analysis revealed two major types of polymers: low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The projected daily consumption of microplastics was determined to be 2.65 particles per person per day, raising potential concerns for human health. The findings show that the treatment process of the water supply system is inadequate. Additionally, the sources of microplastics in tap water may come from where the water was collected for treatment and may be linked to a variety of anthropogenic activities, such as urbanization, sewage discharge, industrial waste disposal, and runoff from catchment areas.

Optimal leakage detection and classification of the water distribution network based on the machine learning approach

ABSTRACT Water distribution networks are operated to supply tap water stably, but they suffer from leakage due to various factors, resulting in poor performance. In Korea, IoT (Internet of Things)-based smart sensors are installed to reduce these leaks, and a large amount of data is collected. In this study, to solve the data uncertainty and verification of the model's field applicability, the eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model, which is based on boosting, was selected. This choice was made through hyperparameter optimization using leak detection data obtained from leak detection sensors, as well as data refined through on-site leak detection. The area under the curve_receiver operating characteristic value for each leak class using the XGB model was 0.9955 for class 0, 0.9956 for class 1, and 0.9985 for class 2. In addition, the partial dependence plot of 120 Hz, which has the highest variable importance, was derived from analyzing the influence of the leak detection and classification model on the amount of leak vibration change at 120 Hz. Therefore, it is expectged the suggested methods can be used to build a GIS-based monitoring system for real-time leak detection by linking the developed model and the location of the leak detection sensor.

Comparative performance of Populus spp. and Salix spp. for growth, nutrition, and heavy metal uptake in a wastewater hydroponic system

This research aimed to ascertain the growth, biomass, and phytoremediation capacity of poplars and willow cultivated using wastewater in a hydroponic system. The cuttings were exposed to two water treatments for eight weeks: (1) tap water supply with 1/4 strength Hoagland’s solution (TW) as a control and (2) urban raw wastewater with 1/4 strength Hoagland’s solution (WW) in a completely randomized experimental design and growth parameters and nutrient and heavy metal content distribution in various plant tissues were assessed. Our results suggest that compared with the TW, seven studied species/clones revealed an increase in growth and biomass parameters (stem height by 16.4%, and root, shoot, and total biomass by 37.3%, 26.9%, and 29.3%, respectively) caused by WW treatment, except the root length and stem diameter that remained the same under two water treatments. Poplars and willow showed a remarkable variability in growth and biomass parameters, with the highest stem diameter, stem height, and root, shoot, and total biomass in Populus nigra L. 62.154. Expression of growth responses to WW treatment with tolerance indices (Tis) indicated the tested poplars and willow as highly tolerant (Ti >100%) with no significant differences among them based on this index. Plant analysis showed that WW treatment increased the concentrations of nutrients and heavy metals in the shoots and roots. Overall, under both water treatments, the capability of the tested species/clones to uptake and accumulate micro-nutrients (except copper (Cu) in shoots) and heavy metals (except chromium (Cr) in shoots) in the plant tissues varied noticeably. However, for all tested plants, the roots had higher concentrations of micro-nutrients (iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and Cu concentrations in the roots were about 36.8%, 107.6%, and 30.1% of that in the shoots, respectively) and heavy metals (nickel (Ni), Cr, and lead (Pb) concentrations in the roots were about 115.3%, 344.2%, and 198.9% of that in the shoots, respectively), suggesting their capability for micro-nutrients and heavy metals rhizofiltration. Concerning obtained results under hydroponic culture, it can be concluded that these poplars and willow might be promising candidates for wastewater applications. However, data obtained by a hydroponic system need to be confirmed in pot and field experiments.

Unequal trust: Bottled water consumption, distrust in tap water, and economic and racial inequality in the United States

AbstractReviewing public health, nutrition, and social science literature, this article examines how bottled water consumption and spending in the United States differ along lines of race, ethnicity, and income, how these consumption patterns have changed in recent years, and how those shifts map onto perceptions of the safety and trustworthiness of tap water supplies, both before and since the Flint water disaster. It also addresses the differential impact of bottled water spending on household income. The findings challenge the truism that bottled water consumption is positively correlated with income, instead showing a bimodal racial and class consumption pattern that reflects widely divergent perceptions—and the uneven distribution—of threats to tap water safety. Bottled water consumption and spending, as well as distrust of tap water, are highest among low‐income, Black, and Latino/a households, exacerbating social inequality. The article also addresses how the bottled water industry is responding to these dynamics, and considers potential routes to restoring both public water infrastructure and trust in tap water supplies. This contribution links several current and salient topics: the relationship between bottled water's growth and tap water consumption; the dynamics of growing racial and income inequality; historical legacies of systemic racism and economic marginalization; and the uneven effects of disinvestment in US water infrastructure on tap water safety, access, and affordability.This article is categorized under: Human Water > Human Water Human Water > Water Governance Human Water > Rights to Water Engineering Water > Water, Health, and Sanitation

Multiple drug resistant enterobacteria from biofilms in some tap water supplies in a Nigerian university

Tap outlets have been found to contain biofilms, which are a consortium of bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa. These microorganisms, especially Gram negative bacteria, could be pathogenic and highly resistant to antibiotics, leading to an increase in the prevalence of diseases worldwide. The university community depends on water from boreholes for consumption and domestic uses; as such, the need to identify the Gram negative bacteria is expedient. The main objective of this research is to determine the potability of the water released from the taps, and ultimately reduce the incidence of biofilm-related water infections. Water samples were collected from five boreholes and five tap outlets were swabbed with a sterile swab stick. Coliforms were estimated from the water samples using the Most Probable Number (MPN) technique. Gram negative bacteria were isolated and identified from the swabbing using standard bacteriological and biochemical tests. The antibiotic resistance patterns of the isolates were also determined, and the genes responsible for the multiple antibiotic resistance were identified using the DNA extraction and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) methods. Bacterial counts of the samples ranged from 6.0×105cfu/mL to 1.4×106cfu/mL. MPN values of the tap water samples ranged from 4 to 1100+cfu/100mL, which exceeded the WHO standards of water quality. A total of 31 bacteria were isolated, of which 8 (25.8%) were Pseudomonas sp, 7 (22.6%) were Proteus sp, 4 (12.9%) were Klebsiella sp, 4 (12.9%) were Escherichia coli, 3 (9.7%) were Enterobacter sp, 3 (9.7%) were Citrobacter sp and 2 (6.5%) were Salmonella sp. All the bacteria showed multiple drug resistance to different antibiotics used, especially the cephalosporins. The gene found to be responsible for the cephalosporin resistance was the TEM - 445. Tap swabbing and water samples were found to contain a high value of coliforms (4 – 1100cfu/100mL), showing heavy faecal pollution, many of which could be pathogenic microorganisms that renders the water unfit for human consumption. The presence of these multidrug resistant microorganisms in the tap outlets could pose a serious threat to public health.

Socio-Hydrological Approach for Water Resource Management and Human Well-Being in Pinglin District, Taiwan

Despite being a limited resource, pollution, poor management, and other drivers like climate change make available water unsuitable and insufficient for human consumption and ecosystem maintenance. Therefore, a transdisciplinary approach is needed for managing this precious resource. The overall aim of this paper is to address water inequalities and improve human well-being using an integrated approach of key informant interviews, hydrological modeling, and the payment of ecosystem services (PES) scheme in Pinglin District, Taiwan. This site is an upstream area of Feicui Reservoir, which protects the downstream tap water supply. Key informant interviews were conducted to identify the gaps in and challenges to water resource management. This was followed by a scenario-based hydrological simulation using a Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) tool to project future water quality by the year 2050 (using biochemical oxygen demand and total coliform content as key indicator parameters) and to trace the factors responsible for water pollution. Survey analysis of key informant interviews depicts that this area is facing several challenges, such as lack of water infrastructure, agricultural subsidy, construction restrictions, etc., which cumulatively cause water scarcity in the upstream regions. On the other hand, hydrological simulation results show that population decline and climate change under an RCP 8.5 scenario will have an enormous negative impact on water quality. The concentrations of BOD and E. coli in river water will expand by 110.1% and 117.3%, respectively, by 2050 compared to 2018. Finally, the results of the study suggest that the PES scheme can play a positive role in enabling integrated water resource management. For example construction of a small-scale wastewater treatment plant in the upstream area will reduce the total E. coli concentration by up to 90%. While the initial cost of construction will be taken care of by the government, the operation and management cost of this infrastructure will be covered by people living downstream, who need to pay only $0.10 per year per person. The obtained results should be vital for both the stakeholders and decision-makers in this region.

Penjernihan Air dengan Metode Rapid Sand Filter menggunakan zeolit dan karbon aktif sebagai adsorben di Kelurahan Lingkar Selatan, Kota Jambi.

The need for clean water for the citizens of Jambi City still remains a serious problem until now. Ironically, for the past five years, the difficulty of fulfilling the need for clean water in some areas of Jambi City is even more alarming. The supply of tap water to the citizen’s houses is still not smooth. So as an alternative, citizens use ground water as a source of water. However, the groundwater obtained is still cloudy and smelly, and the flow of water causes the formation of the crust on the bathroom wall. This will certainly hamper the productivity and the economy of the citizens. Efforts are needed to overcome this problem so that people can get clean water. In this program, conducted a counseling or socialization on the way of water treatment from well water. This community service program aims to share knowledge about how to conduct water purification process to the community so that citizens can consume clean water. In this program, performed demonstration of a simple water purifier using Rapid Sand Filter method in the presence of zeolite and activated carbon that will maximize the water purification process.

Surveillance spilled Chironomidae (Diptera) larvae from drinking water treatment plants in South Korea using morphogenetic species analysis and eDNA metabarcoding

Chironomid larvae (Diptera: Chironomidae) are tremendous indicator species that can tolerate a broad range of environmental conditions, from polluted to unimpaired water ecosystems. These species are ubiquitously observed in all bioregions and can even be found in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). Detection of chironomid larvae in DWTPs is a critical issue because their presence may be indicative of the water quality in the supply of tap water for human consumption. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify the chironomid communities that reflect the water quality of DWTPs and develop a biomonitoring tool to detect biological contamination of the chironomids in DWTPs. To do so, we investigated the identity and distribution of chironomid larvae in seven DWTP areas using morphological identification, DNA barcoding, and sediment environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis. A total of 7924 chironomid individuals encompassing three subfamilies and 25 species of 19 genera were identified in 33 sites within the DWTPs. The Gongchon and Bupyeong DWTPs were dominated by Chironomus spp. larvae, which were correlated with low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water. In the Samgye DWTP and Hwajeong DWTP, Chironomus spp. were almost absent, and instead, Tanytarsus spp. were abundant. Additionally, the Gangjeong DWTP was dominated by a Microtendipes sp., and two species of Orthocladiinae (a Parametriocnemus sp. and a Paratrichocladius sp.) were found only in the Jeju DWTP. We also identified the eight most abundant Chironomidae larvae found in the DWTPs. Furthermore, eDNA metabarcoding of DWTP sediment indicated the presence of different eukaryotic fauna and confirmed the presence of chironomids in DWTPs. These data provide useful morphological and genetic information regarding chironomid larvae that can be used for the water quality biomonitoring of DWTPs to support the supply of clean drinking water.

A Study on Tap Water Supply in Rural Areas of Rohtak District, Haryana

A Study on Tap Water Supply in Rural Areas of Rohtak District, Haryana

Accessibility to Potable Water Supply and Satisfaction in Lokoja, Kogi State-Nigeria

This study examines household accessibility to domestic water supply in Lokoja, North Central Nigeria. Both primary and secondary data were obtained for this research. A systematic random sampling technique was adopted to gather relevant information from two hundred and ten households on their sources of water supply, frequency of trips to water collection points and their perception of quality of domestic water available to them. Relevant information was obtained from archival materials. Tables were employed to analyse the socio-economic composition of the respondents and the sources of water supply in their neighbourhoods. Likerts scale model was used to evaluate the perception of satisfaction on quality and adequacy of domestic water supply in the city. Analysis of Variance was also used to determine the level of satisfaction on the quantity and quality of domestic water supply across various residential areas in Lokoja. Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to determine the strength of the relationship between domestic water supply on the one hand and income level, education profile and residential characteristics of households on the other hand. Findings reveal that more than 70% of households residing at Zango Daji and Army Barracks areas rely on borehole for their regular water supply. Well water and water from vendors are the principal sources of water for residents of Felele area and these constituted 48.1% and 25.9% respectively. Approximately 100%, 57.7% and 34.6% of urban households that reside at Old Poly Quarters, Lokongoma Phase 1 & 11 and Kabawa areas respectively indicated that they rely on irregular and unpredictable public tap water supply provided by the Kogi State Water Management Board.Urban households perceived and rated the availability and quality of domestic water supply as dissatisfied. There was a positive correlation between sources of domestic water supply and urban households income level as well as education profile, which was statistically significant (r = .196, n = 189, p = .01) and (r = .282, n = 189, p = .01). The study recommends the provision of potable water to urban households in order to reduce the vulnerability of urban residents to water borne diseases in Lokoja and environs.

Regional Drinking Water Supply in Pakistan: Regional Disparity, Inequality, and Development Pattern

This article explores the regional disparities in water supply coverage in Pakistan in the context of intraregional development patterns. We applied the Gini index, Esteban and Ray index, and Moran’s I to measure regional development patterns in terms of inequality, polarization, and spatial concentration and build an integrated framework combining them with other widely accepted factors to understand regional differences in water coverage quantitatively. Our results show that improved water (tap and pump water) is more widely supplied in Pakistan with lower inequality but higher spatial concentration than tap water supply coverage, although the patterns differ by urban–rural divisions and provinces. Western regions with smaller populations tend to have higher tap water coverage, and eastern regions with large populations are more covered by improved water. The regression models show various mechanisms of improved water and tap water coverage. Both are related to local economic conditions but tap water coverage is more related to local environmental conditions, and improved water is more related to local demographic conditions. Strong and dense population centers decrease improved water coverage but promote tap water coverage. Urban planners and policymakers should address polycentric regional development to fulfill various development targets and improve regional equity of drinking water coverage in terms of accessibility, availability, and quality.

Knowledge–Behavior Gap in Tap Water Consumption in Puerto Rico: Implications for Water Utilities

The impacts of climate-related hazards are becoming a major concern for many people worldwide, especially those in vulnerable areas such as Puerto Rico. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria caused severe disruption to the island’s drinking water supply due to power outages, causing major problems for utility companies. This led to water insecurity, particularly among residents, who could not access safe, reliable, adequate, and affordable drinking water. Disaster-related water insecurity challenges are coupled with widespread public mistrust of tap water, yet some residents still consume tap water despite the mistrust. Alternatively, a portion of those who trust the tap water quality choose not to consume it. This knowledge–behavior gap needs to be explored to understand tap water consumption behaviors in the context of mistrust and insecurity. This study’s main goal was to identify why residents mistrusted their tap water and their behaviors in response to or despite mistrust. Data collection included household surveys and interviews with residents (n = 154) from May 2022 to July 2022. Thematic qualitative analysis shows residents generally mistrust tap water because of its poor quality over the past decade based on its palatability properties (taste, color, and smell). In addition, people trust or mistrust tap water because of their lived personal positive or negative experiences with the water utility service in Puerto Rico. This study can be used to develop strategies to address water insecurity and understand public trust in the tap water supply provided by water utilities. Ultimately, this research emphasizes the need for more studies to explore the knowledge–behavior gap in order to understand why some people consume tap water despite the mistrust and vice versa.

Toxic metal contamination of home tap water supply during pregnancy

Toxic metal contamination of home tap water supply during pregnancy

Comparative Analysis of the Microbial Content of Some Drinking Water Sources in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria

Introduction: The short falls in the distribution of treated pipe borne water leads to resort to alternative sources of drinking water. Comparative analysis of sachet, bottle and tap water supply sources in Port Harcourt Metropolis Rivers State, Nigeria, was conducted by applying culture dependent methods in order to examine their qualities.
 Methodology: Ten (10) samples comprising 4 bottle water samples from Rumuodara (zone B), Elekahia (zone C), Orogbum (zone G), and Mgbuoba (zone I), 4 sachet water samples from Rumukurushi (zone A), Borokiri (zone M), Rumuepirikom (zone J), Mgbuoshimiri (zone K), and 2 tap water samples from Rivers State University hostels NDDC and C were analyzed using standard analytical techniques.
 Results: Twenty-seven (27) bacterial isolates identified in 5 of the 10 water samples were 12 (45%) Escherichia coli, 8 (30%) Streptococcus species, 4 (15%) Klebsiella species and 3 (10%) Staphylococcus aureus respectively. Total Plate Count on sachet water samples ranged from 0.1 to 1.2 cfu/ml while that of the tap water was 2.0 to 2.9 cfu/ml. In sachet water, Staphylococcus aureus ranged from 0.1 to 0.2 cfu/ml, where as 1.2 cfu/ml colonies was recorded for Streptococcus species. In tap water Escherichia coli ranged from 0.3 cfu/ml to 1.8 cfu/ml, whereas 0.4 to 0.8 cfu/ml was recorded for Streptococcus species and Klebsiella species respectively.There was no bacteria growth in the bottle water.
 Conclusion: The findings show that the drinking water sources did not meet the approved acceptable limits of the World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water though there was no growth of indicator organisms in the samples and no difference in the physicochemical variables. It is recommended that sachet and tap water supply in Port Harcourt Metropolis be properly treated before human consumption and other domestic purposes.

Assessment of Radon gas concentration in Tap water supply of Haditha Town / west Al-Anbar Governorate / Iraq

The current study was performed to estimate Radon concentration in the tap water and annual effective dose in 22 water samples from three districts in Haditha city (Haditha center, Haqlaniyah and Barowana) in addition to Euphrates river. the results show that overall concentration of radon 226 in drinking water in Haditha city was ranged (0.0091 – 0.031 Bq L−1). Also, the annual effective dose of radon 226 was calculated, The highest was 0.113166 μSv/y, while the lowest was 0.03322 μSv/y. The rank order of drinking water resources in Haditha region based on the concentration of radon 226 was Euphrates river > Haditha > Barwana > Haglanyah. The overall concentration of radon 226 in drinking water in Haditha city was lower than WHO and EPA standard limits.

Household behavioral intention, environmental habit and attitude related to efficient water management: an empirical analysis on pro-environmental behavior among urban residents

Abstract The management of water utilities in urban contexts, which are particularly prone to water shortages and where future water security is of the utmost importance, has become a challenging task for the majority of municipal and regional planners. The present study attempts to evaluate how environmental knowledge and values influence possible pro-environmental behavior with respect to household water consumption behavior, attitudes, and habits among 500 (n = 313) urban dwellers in an urban setting in Jiangsu Province, China. We adapted the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to elucidate pro-environmental behaviors while exploratory factor and Spearman correlation analysis were applied to datasets elicited from respondents. The study establishes important positive correlations using Spearman's rank (r = 0.50) based on the findings of our empirical analysis, which suggest that individuals with strong environmental values and rich environmental knowledge are more likely to exhibit behaviors, attitudes and habits that result in effective household water use and management. Additionally, based on the magnitude of the factor loadings, the key results from principal factor analysis were as follows: efficient household water consumption is contingent on fixing household leaks (0.73) and replacing old shower fixtures and water-using appliances (0.66). Nevertheless, China's water resources are insufficient and require efficient management (0.66), the quality of tap water supplies is compromised and cannot be trusted (0.66) and there has been little to no improvement in water quality and availability in the past 10 years in China (0.69). This research reinforces the role of knowledge in shaping behavior, and has policy effects and could serve as a benchmark for measures to reduce household water use.