Perceptions, attitudes and behaviours toward urban surface water quality in Accra, Ghana

Drought-heatwave events increase water use mainly for domestic and irrigation water use sectors (Cárdenas et al., 2023). Moreover, water quality deterioration caused by human activities is exacerbated by more frequent and longer-lasting extreme hydro-climatic events, such as droughts and heatwaves. These circumstances challenge the supply of water of suitable quality and increase the cross-sectoral competition forclean water.Water use models are useful in estimating responses in water demand and use ‑in terms of consumption and withdrawals‑ of the main water use sectors (i.e., irrigation, livestock, domestic, energy and manufacturing); however, there are few water use models that account for both water quantity and quality dimensions simultaneously. The main objective of our research is to assess the cross-sectoral water deficit due to sectoral competition for limited clean water resources, explicitly considering water quantity and water quality requirements.To address this objective a new sectoral water use model framework has been developed, that evaluates simultaneously water quantity and water quality requirements for the main water use sectors. This globally applicable model framework builds on the PCR-GLOBWB 2 hydrological model (Sutanudjaja et al, 2018) and DynQual v1.0 global surface water quality model (Jones et al, 2023), which simulates surface water temperature, salinity as indicated by total dissolved solids (TDS), organic pollution as indicated by biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and pathogen pollution as indicated by faecal coliform (FC).Preliminary results show that high salinity (TDS) is the predominant water quality constituent limiting water use for irrigation most of the year; while for the domestic sector it is organic pollution, particularly in regions with limited water treatment capacities. For such sectors, accounting for water quality requirements lead to substantial reductions in surface water withdrawals over the Conterminous United States when compared to results obtained from only water quantity-based models.This modelling framework provides the basis for an integrated water scarcity assessment driven by changes in water quantity and quality under current and future droughts and heatwaves.ReferencesCárdenas B., G.A., Bierkens, M.F.P., van Vliet, M.T.H.: Sectoral water use responses to droughts and heatwaves: analyses from local to global scales for 1990-2019. Environ. Res. Lett. 18 104008. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/acf82e, 2023.Sutanudjaja, E. H., van Beek, L. P. H., de Jong, S. M., van Geer, F. C., and Bierkens, M. F. P.: Calibrating a large-extent high-resolution coupled groundwater-land surface model using soil moisture and discharge data, Water Resour. https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-11-2429-2018, 2018.Jones, E. R., Bierkens, M. F. P., Wanders, N., Sutanudjaja, E. H., van Beek, L. P. H., and van Vliet, M. T. H.: DynQual v1.0: a high-resolution global surface water quality model, Geosci. Model Dev., 16, 4481–4500, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-4481-2023, 2023.

Negative health impacts of water insecurity are often felt most in poor and rural communities and communities of color, who are more likely to be underserved by water infrastructure and disproportionately subject to socioeconomic stressors. Despite mandated efforts to allocate significant federal resources to infrastructure funding in ‘disadvantaged communities,’ communities with the most need risk systematic exclusion from access to resources, decision-making structures, and even benefits of research intended to address inequitable infrastructure services and health outcomes in their own communities. This project aims to describe groundwork and preliminary findings from community-engaged environmental research conducted within an ongoing community-based participatory research partnership in Robeson County, NC, a majority–minority county with the lowest median household income of NC’s 100 counties. Semi-structured interviews conducted with community members were analyzed to identify concerns about drinking water security (including safety, affordability, and reliability), perceptions of water quality, averting behaviors taken due to water insecurity, and ideas for improving water security. Findings suggest that there is a high level of mistrust in community water supplies, with perceptions of poor water quality driving a reliance on bottled water. Those relying on private wells expressed greater trust in their water and lower reliance on bottled water. Concerns about affordability were less prominent than those about water quality. Insufficient water reliability (low flow) was mentioned by many respondents, including those with community water service and those relying on private wells. Most supported increasing taxes to improve water security and also recommended increasing communications between water service providers and the public to improve trust. Overall, this work suggests the need for a comprehensive assessment of the quality and reliability of community water services in Robeson County, interventions to address problems identified, and much more engagement with the community about identifying and allocating funding to solve water security problems.

Assessing water use and quality through youth participatory research in a rural Andean watershed

This article examines the effects of U.S. federal farm programs on agricultural water use, water quality, and the allocation of water between agriculture and other sectors of the economy. Agriculture is central to policy debates over how to allocate water between competing uses and how to control water pollution. Agriculture accounts for 80% of U.S. consumptive use of freshwater and has been identified as the largest contributor to nonpoint source water pollution. Over the last 20 years, agricultural policy reforms have greatly reduced, though not eliminated, incentives to overuse water and chemical inputs and have improved targeting of conservation programs to achieve environmental benefits. Recent changes provide greater incentives for voluntary reallocation of water from agriculture to other uses. The 2002 farm bill reverses some reforms, increasing some distortionary subsidies, while shifting conservation program priorities from environmental to income transfer objectives.

Influence of recreational activity on water quality perceptions and concerns in Utah: A replicated analysis

Human related activities affect how water is used. However, there is limited information on the effect of socio-economic factors on water use. This study was to establish the socio-economic factors that affect water resource use in Lower Thiba Sub-Catchment using a descriptive survey design. Qualitative as well as quantitative data was collected from 361 households and 5 focus group discussions (n=366) across the Sub-catchment. The sub-catchment was sub-divided into three zones namely; upper zone, middle zone and lower zone, from where each zone, 120 respondents were randomly sampled and issued with a questionnaire. Data was analysed with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) at a statistical significance of 5% probability level. Data was then presented using descriptive statistics such as tables, graphs and test for significance was done using Chi-square. The results showed that men were more likely to do irrigation farming than women, with 81%, as compared to their female counterparts who had 68%. Most of the respondents (82%) earned between Kshs. 10,000 (87$) and 30,000 (261$) from different occupations; however, 4% of respondents, all of who were farmers earned over kshs 70,000(609$) a month, compared to other types of occupation, indicating it as the main economic activity in the area. The results showed that 57.9% of respondents who had tertiary education preferred formal employment over farming with only 9.9% of them choosing to be farmers. The results also showed 75% of the respondents who owned land were male, with only 25% of the female respondents owning land. Further, respondents in formal employment had a higher ownership (83.9%) of water harvesting facilities compared to those doing irrigation farming at 73%. The results indicate that the community socioeconomic factors within the LTS should be considered by policy makers, as they clearly affect water use within the sub-catchment.

How do people's perceptions of water quality influence the life cycle environmental impacts of drinking water in Uganda?

The Navajo Nation includes approximately 250,000 American Indians living in a remote high desert environment with limited access to public water systems. We conducted a pilot case-control study to assess associations between acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and water availability, use patterns, and quality. Case patients with AGE and non-AGE controls who presented for care to two Indian Health Service hospitals were recruited. Data on demographics and water use practices were collected using a standard questionnaire. Household drinking water was tested for presence of pathogens, coliforms, and residual chlorine. Sixty-one subjects (32 cases and 29 controls) participated in the study. Cases and controls were not significantly different with respect to water sources, quality, or patterns of use. Twenty-one percent (n = 12) of study participants resided in dwellings not connected to a community water system. Eleven percent (n = 7) of subjects reported drinking hauled water from unregulated sources. Coliform bacteria were present in 44% (n = 27) of household water samples, and 68% (n = 40) of samples contained residual chlorine concentrations of <0.2 mg/L. This study highlights issues with water availability, quality, and use patterns within the Navajo Nation, including sub-optimal access to community water systems, and use of water hauled from unregulated sources.

Aim: Many food animal production facilities are sited close to human residence. This research work seeks to establish the occupational and environmental burdens of unsafe acts and conditions in backyard poultry production sites in the area of study in order to validate the compliance level of poultry farmers to common safety regulations. Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology Department, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, from February 2017 to December 2019. Methodology: A well-structured questionnaire was administered to farm managers and residents within the area of study. Data on poultry management attitudes and history of water use were collected. The coordinates of the poultry sites, natural water bodies, source area and their relative distances were determined using the Geographical System Information Software, Mapit GIS. Fecal droppings from poultry birds were randomly sampled with a sterile swab stick and transferred into a factory-packed polythene bag. The suspension of the fecal droppings was streaked on Eosin Methylene Blue agar plates and incubated at 37°C for 18-24 hours. Waste-water, soil from disposal sites, and poultry feed samples were also collected in sterile universal bottles, serially diluted and cultured. E. coli isolates were characterized using relevant biochemical tests. The modified paper disc-diffusion method was used to determine the isolates’ sensitivity to nine tested antibiotics. The results were interpreted based on the procedures of the clinical and laboratory standard institutes. Results: Majority of the poultry farms under survey, 83% adopted the intensive ranging system of farming while few adopted the free range system. Layers were the most reared, 50%. There was no documented health, safety and regulatory protocols used on all the farms leading to variations in poultry management practices. Accumulated poultry droppings were periodically disposed between 3-4 days into open fields, flowing water bodies and pits. Among the three adopted waste disposal options, disposal into open field was rampant, 67%. Also, some of the poultry farmers, 42% applied the collected poultry droppings as farm yard manure. Family members constitute the major labor force, 92% on the farm. There were contacts between few of the farmers and their clients during routine farm activities. Majority of the farmers, 83.3% were not kitted with commonly-used personal protective equipment while coverall was only used by few. The five natural water bodies found within the area of study were majorly used for agricultural, domestic, and, recreational purposes. There was history of diarrhea in respondents, 12% with exposure to the water bodies. Socio-demographic data show that young, married-males with tertiary education comprise the major farming population. The relative distance of poultry farms to residential site is ≤ 6 meters while the proximity of poultry farms to natural water sources is between 160 meters to 4,596 meters. Antibiotic sensitivity test shows that multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria were present in poultry droppings, waste water and soil from poultry waste disposal sites. Bacterial resistance to the fluoroquinolones, sulphonamide, tetracycline, aminoglycoside and penicillin was high. Conclusion: The findings on unsafe act audit of the poultry production sites assert that safety of public health is dependent on the quality of water and soil found in human environment. Unsafe acts and conditions with the inherent occupational hazards in poultry production sites are attributed to non-functional health, safety and environment management system. Antibiotic resistant bacteria in poultry droppings constitute biological hazard to humans. Exposure to these biological hazards predisposes the public to infections. Human and environmental health can be improved by reviewing the national guidelines and standards for environmental pollution control.

Ethiopia has possibly the greatest potential for potato production. But its contribution to food security is less due to poor agronomic techniques and other factors which require improving the ways of resources use. This experiment was conducted in Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine greenhouse to study the effect of nitrogen rates and irrigation regimes on water and nitrogen use efficiency of selected potato varieties (Jalenie, Guassa and Degemegn), using three nitrogen rates (130, 110, 90 kg/ha), and three irrigation regimes [full irrigation (100%), 80% and 60% of full irrigation] on clay textured fine top soil filled to poly ethylene pot of 15 liter and 30 cm upper diameter. The experiment was 3 × 3 × 3 factorial with three replications laid down in a Randomized Complete Block Design. Interaction of variety and irrigation significantly affected water use efficiency (WUE). Jalenie variety recorded the highest WUE at 80% irrigation, but was on par with Guassa varieties at 100% irrigation. The lowest WUE was obtained from Degemegn variety at 100% irrigation even though there was no significant difference among the three irrigations. From the results, it can be concluded that irrigation regimes and variety were significantly affected water use efficiency of the potato varieties while the nitrogen rates and interaction between or among factors holding nitrogen combination were not influenced the water use efficiency of the potato varieties significantly. As this is output of greenhouse condition, open field experiment is suggested to be carried out to come up with conclusive results.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that citizen science can provide valuable data on physical, chemical, and biological aspects of water quality. These studies mainly used quantitative methods. Qualitative approaches have been used to describe water quality conditions for much longer, but remain largely overlooked. The color, odor, and presence of aquatic vegetation or garbage influence human perceptions of river water quality, the use of the water, and thus the relation between humans and waterbodies. Yet, few studies have assessed how visual water quality indicators and local knowledge of water quality or sources of pollution can be used in citizen science projects, despite recent studies calling for greater attention to qualitative data sources. Qualitative data can enhance the interpretation of quantitative data and deepen the understanding of human-water relations. This paper evaluates qualitative water quality descriptors collected through the citizen science smartphone app CrowdWater and analyses how citizen scientists perceive and assess water quality in the app. Our analysis not only indicates that some citizen scientists already take quantitative physical–chemical measurements of water quality (even though this is not part of the app) but also that they frequently report their perception of water quality based on visual indicators and local knowledge. Our study makes a methodological contribution to traditional approaches in citizen science and water quality studies, highlighting the need to explore less frequently used methods and data sources and less frequently studied aspects of water quality.

Exploring China's water scarcity incorporating surface water quality and multiple existing solutions

Rural water supplies have traditionally been overshadowed by urban ones. That must now change, as the Sustainable Development Goals calls for water for all. The objective of the paper is to assess the current access to and the perceived water quality in villages with various types of water supply. The survey was carried out during July–December 2017 in four villages in central Kazakhstan. Overall, 1369 randomly selected households were interviewed. The results revealed that even though villagers were provided with tap water, significant numbers used alternative sources. There were three reasons for this situation: residents’ doubts regarding the tap water quality; use of other sources out of habit; and availability of cheaper or free sources. Another problem concerned the volume of water consumption, which dropped sharply with decreased quality or inconvenience of sources used by households. Moreover, people gave a poor estimate to the quality and reliability of water from wells, open sources and tankered water. The paper suggests that as well decentralization of water management as monitoring of both water supply and water use are essential measures. There must be a tailor-made approach to each village for achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of providing rural Kazakhstan with safe water.

Recreation demand models typically incorporate measures of the physical attributes of recreational sites; e.g., Secchi depth or phosphorous levels in case of water quality. Moreover, most studies show that individuals do respond to these physical characteristics in choosing where to recreate. However, the question remains as to whether the available physical measures accurately capture individual perceptions of water quality and if there is a additional role to be played by elicited perception measures in modeling recreation demand. In this paper, we use data from the 2004 Iowa Lakes Survey to model recreation demand as a function of both the physical water quality at 131 lakes in the state and household perceptions of lake water quality. In general, water quality perceptions are correlated with the available physical measures, but not perfectly so, and both actual and perceived water quality are found to significantly impact recreational site choice.

Public support for carrot, stick, and no-government water quality policies