Public Attitude towards Water and Water Reuse

Abstract

This study presents the results of a survey regarding public perception and attitude towards water and water reuse in Doha located in the arabian gulf. The water supply is very generous but is corrosive due to which it often acquires a red colour. Invariably home filters are used in the kitchen and washer to get rid of the colour and taste in water. People are aware of the high cost of water production and supply in such an arid region but they did not respond positively towards sharing the cost of improvement in the water supply in spite of the fact that they pay very little for receiving more than adequate water supply. The community in general is not well informed about the water conservation measures and the water reuse. People seemed to be prejudiced against water reuse. A large percentage of respondents did not favour water reuse in lawns and gardens, car washing, toilet flushing, industries and farming. There is a need for better channel of communication between the water departments and the community for implementing water conservation measures and expanding the water use by organizing “water weeks” regularly, which should include exhibitions, lectures, film shows, distribution of relevant literature and poster displays, emphasizing the methods of conservation to be used and the action taken by the department in this regard, the treated water quality and the water reuse practices in Doha and elsewhere. For the present water reuse should be limited to landscaping along the roads and irrigation of farms for growing animal fodder.