Big Water, Everyday Water:A Sociotechnical Perspective Zoe Sofoulis - Essay Example

The article is an effort to find out the extent of awareness, regarding the value based usage of this very important element of our life and to provoke a proactive response from the common man for the need to evolve sustainable measures for effectively and judiciously using water in one’s daily life. The article is an effort by the author to create an awareness regarding the sustainable use of water in the daily life. The author has referred to a collaborative research project ‘Everyday Water’, which was conducted in Sydney in 2004 to study the water habits and attitudes of the people.

Apart from questionnaires, the participants were required to maintain a diary where they were supposed to give details of their usage of water and the strategy, if any, towards conservation. The results were astounding because they showed a general naiveté about the huge implication of water wastage and the long term repercussions of it. The people were aware of its value to their life but they were so much conditioned to take it for granted that ‘wasting’ word had no relevance for them so far as water usage was concerned!

Even when government had imposed restrictions on its use, people followed the broader guidelines of not watering plants or washing their car but water conservation did not figure anywhere when their personal agenda like taking bath several times, washing clothes etc. were concerned. The people also expected the government agencies to provide or subsidise measures that would promote water conservation. The author has blamed the government of having myopic vision with regard to water management and for people’s attitude towards it.

The government had created infrastructure for water supply and facilitated technology for its widespread use but it did not make any effort to create awareness for its careful use by the public. Restrictions and laws alone are not