Importance of Water Conservation in Households - Literature review Example

Water Conservation Name Institution Tutor Date Review of Water Conservation Importance of water conservation in households In the present years, water scarcity as well as domestic consumption of water has received rising attention on state public agendas (Manahan, 2010). Water conservation is about using water in a wise manner as well as caring for it correctly (Shen, 2012). In households, when water is conserved, there are various advantages that the consumer can get. For instance, water conservation can save energy. This is because, for the water to be pumped from a central area into the home, energy is needed to run that machine. Techniques of water conservation such as metering and use of water efficient machines like washing machines and dishwashers can also help to save water that will be useful for future generations (Manahan, 2010). In general, water conservation is among the significant aspects of guaranteeing sustainable development of towns and ought to incorporate social, economic and environmental dimensions (Enger & Smith, 2010). The methods can be used to reduce the water consumption in households Education and information that promote conservation does not seem to be effective in accomplishing a conservation objective without simultaneously imposing considerable increases of price to offer a financial motivation to water conservation (House-Peters & Chang, 2011). Less water is used by consumers once they pay a lot for it but use a lot once they know that they are able to afford it. Price-based approach by the government to conserve water is more cost-effective compared to other non-price approaches (House-Peters & Chang, 2011). The benefits from price-based approaches for water conservation originate from letting households respond to raised prices of water in the behavior of their preference, instead of through installing a specific technology or decreasing specific uses, like in the non-price methods (House-Peters & Chang, 2011). A study by Dalhuisen et al, (2003) concluded that even though residential demand’s sensitivity to price is somehow low, elasticity of price is higher while demand is lower within households that face block prices compared to the households that face consistent margin prices. A study that is more recent by House-Peters & Chang (2011) indicates powerful empirical proof for the use of prices to handle demand as very cost-effective compared to implementation of conservation programs that are considered non-price. It was establish that averagely in America, a 10% raise within the marginal water price can be seen expect declines in residential demand of water by 3 to 4%, which reflect a related elasticity illustrated in the previous study (House-Peters & Chang, 2011). According to Inman & Jeffrey (2006) metering is considered to have a significant role in the development of price-elasticity within the household water market. Metering involves the application of financial tools like demand-side management (DSM) mechanism that entails measurement of water usage on the basis of per unit (Inman & Jeffrey, 2006). Metering consumption of water and charging according to the basis of per unit generates a water bill, which differs with the quantity of used water, indicating in the consumer’s mind the clean water’s value (Inman & Jeffrey, 2006). Installation of meters is hence essential if utilities of water plan to use pricing as a mechanism of water conservation (Inman & Jeffrey, 2006). Maintenance of distribution systems of water is one of the effective means of conservation of water employed by suppliers of water. This is established through detection of leaks and repair, and pressure oscillations’ control in networks of water supply (House-Peters & Chang, 2011). Proper pressure control by itself can reduce annual usage of water by 3 to 6 percent. The modern household technologies that can be used to conserve the high amount of water House-Peters & Chang (2011) found that reusing water coming from the showers, baths and sinks may possibly decrease domestic usage of water by a third and research shows that not more than 5 percent of total household consumption need to be of clean quality. Grey water or recycled waste water would basically be helpful for toilet flushing, even though it can be helpful for washing machines and outdoor uses like car washing as well watering non-edible plant. There is further benefit of decreased sewage volumes brought by the decreased through-put of water. According to Liu et al (2007), a standard home produces sufficient grey water for toilet flushing purpose. Grey water needs treatment to be suitable for non-potable recycling within the home, particularly when stored for long periods before usage. The health danger is principally linked to feacal substance carried away following human washing, and this risk rises with household use as the possibility of an infected person increases (Sultana, 2010). Recent research indicates that storage capacities that are smaller in sizes, with a re-use capacity of a grey water of 60 percent or less might mirror the best performance of re-use against quality arrangement of water (Liu et al, 2007). According to Sharp (2006) the uptake of washing machines that are more efficient is reliant on the lifetime of the appliance which is the standard years of appliance usage prior to replacement. Presently, cost saving made through switching too early to a washing machine that is water efficient does not encompass the buying cost. Additionally, efficiency is dependent on excellent habit, for instance when the washing machine is run at full load (House-Peters & Chang, 2011). Proper water habits might be most effectively supported by economic and educational means. Through proper use, dishwashing machines can be more water resourceful and are able to wash more efficiently compared to hand washing. According to a research done by Stamminger et al (2004) at Bonn University, dishwashers use less water compared to hand washing when more than 12 items are washed. The study approximated that twenty litres of water were used by the dishwasher for every wash and that basically hand washing used over 3 times as much required water to wash a full load dishwasher. This study by Stamminger recommends the usage of dishwashers to reduce water consumption. Energy and water efficiencies are frequently symbiotic since plumbing and heating systems are basically interconnected (Brookshire et al, 2002). Fairly basic efficiency techniques of heating can also decrease water wastage, for instance; heat transference is reduced when pipes of hot water are placed over the cold ones, and there is prevention of heat loss when long pipes are insulated (Chandrakumar & Mukundan, 2006). Public's acceptance to reduce the amount of water consumption Activities of water conservation by households entail behavioral change (taking 5 minutes shower instead of 10 minutes, turning the shower off during soaping up, using washing machines and dishwashers only with full load) and installation of devices that are water-efficient (drip irrigation, toilets that require low water usage) (House-Peters & Chang, 2011). Besides non-price and price policies, both kinds of responses are basically influenced by socio-demographic features of the household, like income, home ownership, and education, together with attitudinal variables, like opinions concerning the environment on the whole (Manahan, 2011). The few studies that exist on adoption of appliances that are water-efficient have largely controlled for variables of socio-demography, whereas the proof on variables that are attitudinal mainly originates from studies of plans to decrease usage of water through changing behavior (Afroz et al, 2010). Flood (2011) contends that despite every individual system having its specific concerns, a number of concerns are mutual by multiple systems, most particularly costs and transforming personal habits. On the other hand, public opinion is considered a major obstacle for every strategy of water conservation. Public acceptance of the conservation mechanisms is very significant, yet a lot of efforts on public education have not been successful. The process that involves selling these methods and technologies to the community has turned out to be a major issue of policy. Encouraging the community to conserve water during the shortage times is feasible, but empowering them on water conservation when the crisis is not there has turned out to be difficult (House-Peters & Chang, 2011). Public attitude towards recycling of water is powerfully connected with the kind of reuse. For instance, the reactions from various studies indicated that not less than 95% of Australian community backs up the utilization of grey water from gardens and parks’ irrigation, and for flushing the toilet (Ryan et al, 2009). Supporting various personal uses differs between the studies that have been published, like washing clothes from 70 to 85% support, and bathing support was from 48 to 78%. On the other hand, supporting its drinking purposes use dropped to 1% in a number of cases, and 24% in others (House-Peters & Chang, 2011). Differences in responses could be as a result of the way the questions were tackled during the surveys. According to Menotti & O’Sullivan (2013) regardless of successful methods, public acceptance of methods of water conservation is generally not where it should be. This is greatly attributable to restricted public awareness. Various homeowners are not ready to change their behavior on water use until there is a crisis. Additionally, homeowners see limitations on the way they can handle their homes as personal interruptions (Taleb & University of Sheffield, 2011). Reference Liu, S., Butler, D., Memon, F., Makropoulos, C., and Pidou, M. (2007). Exploring the water saving potential of domestic greywater reuse systems, 4th IWA Specialist conferent on Efficient Use and Management of Urban Water Supply, 20-23 May, Jeju Island, Korea. Stamminger, R., Badura, R., Broil, G., Doerr, S, Elschenbroich, A. (2004) A European Comparison of Cleaning Dishes by Hand [Online], University of Bonn: www.landtechnik.unibonn.de/ifl_research/ht_1/EEDAL_03_ManualDishwashing.pdf?PHPSESSID=6c9f9ccf3b8fa39071af22518408722e. Inman, D. & Jeffrey, P. (2006). A review of residential water conservation tool performance and influences on implementation effectiveness. Urban Water Journal, 3(3), 127-143. Sharp, L. (2006). Water Demand Management in the UK: Constructions of the Domestic Water User. Journal of Environmental Management and Planning, 49(6), 869-889. Shen, Z. (2012). Geospatial techniques in urban planning. Heidelberg; New York: Springer. Flood, M. L. (2011). The Worth of water: Controversy concerning charging for water. Sultana, F. (2010). Sustainable water supply: Rainwater harvesting for multistoried residential apartments in Dhaka, Bangladesh. College Station, Tex: Texas A&M University. Taleb, H. M., & University of Sheffield. (2011). Towards sustainable residential buildings in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Boca Raton, Florida : CRC Press Afroz, R., Hanaki, K., Tuddin, R., & Ayup, K. (2010). A survey of recycling behaviour in households in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Waste Management and Research, 28, 6, 552-560. House-Peters, L. A., & Chang, H. (May 01, 2011). Urban water demand modeling: Review of concepts, methods, and organizing principles. Water Resources Research, 47, 5. Menotti, F. & O’Sullivan, A. (2013). The Oxford handbook of wetland archaeology. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. Manahan, S. E. (2011). Water chemistry: Green science and technology of nature's most renewable resource. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. Ryan, A., Spash, C. L., Measham, T. G., & CSIRO (Australia). (2009). Household water collection in Canberra. Canberra: CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems. Enger, E. D., & Smith, B. F. (2010). Environmental science: A study of interrelationships. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Manahan, S. E. (2010). Environmental chemistry. Boca Raton, Florida : CRC Press. Dalhuisen, J. M., et al, (2003). "Price and Income Elasticities of Residential Water Demand: A Meta-Analysis." Land Econ. 79(2), 292-308. Brookshire, D. S., Burness, H. S., Chermak, J. M. & Krause, K. (2002). 'Western Urban Water Demand." Natural Resour. J. 42(4), 873-898. Chandrakumar, G. & Mukundan, N. (2006). Water Resource Management: Thrust and Challenges. New Delhi: Sarup & Sons. Read More