Interpreting householder preferences to evaluate water supply

Communities in the past have had little or no involvement in the introduction and implementation of new water supply systems. It was often assumed that new supplies would be accepted simply because the community wanted more water.

However, now communities all over Australia are not just asking for good quality, reliable water, they also want a say in where the water comes from. Since success of new water technologies is also dependent on community acceptance, understanding what influences acceptance is critical.

A Water for a Healthy Country Flagship researchers have developed an attitudinal model that can both evaluate the likelihood of acceptability of a water supply system and also allow water systems to be tailored to community requirements through an understanding of what’s important to them in judging acceptability.

CSIRO evaluation model

Attitudes and behaviours can change over time. Different attitudes can have great influence over people's decisions about different water supplies.

The CSIRO hypothetical model was based on a basic understanding of community preferences in relation to water services. It assumed that acceptance would depend on:

• community trust in authorities capacity to reliably provide good, safe and well-managed water
• community perceptions of equity, fairness, risk and outcomes
• a subjective acceptance of the supply's risks versus its benefits
• personal values such as lifestyle preferences, conservation attitudes, intergenerational equity, levels of service and garden recreation.

Model assessment

The model was initially assessed and modified using surveys in Perth and Melbourne assessing metropolitan-wide water supply case studies, both current and future. More recently it has been tested in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on future case studies at smaller (building and neighbourhood) scales. All testing provided survey respondents with realistic descriptions of the key aspects of the water supply systems.

Suburbs for the most recent assessments were selected from all socio-economic groups. A total of 1205 respondents were recruited across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane with roughly equal representation from both genders.
 

Robustness and consistency

The components of the model were consistent across different scales of water supply systems, different metropolitan populations and different types of water supply schemes, both current and future. It predicted 60-70% of the variance which is very strong for a social science model.

Surprisingly, personal values and considerations of levels of service were not related to acceptability decisions in the final model.

Model for the Brisbane Case Study

This study provides, for the first time, a holistic cultural framework for evaluating water supply systems and an understanding of the basic psychology of how community acceptability decisions are made. It allows water supply systems to be tailored to community requirements.

What has developed from the study is an evaluation tool for water utilities as well as urban developers and planners. The final stage of the development of the tool will be the compilation of the survey questionnaire with implementation and analytical instructions.

For more information:
Leviston, Z., Porter, N.B. & Nancarrow, B. 2006. Interpreting Householder Preferences to Evaluate Water Supply Systems: Stage 3. Water for a Healthy Country National Research Flagship, CSIRO Land and Water: Perth.

Contact: Australian Research Centre for Water in Society:
08 9333 6265 arcwis-enquiries@csiro.au
 

Update Home

Message from the Director

International recognition for our WRON initiative

Research partnership to protect the Coorong

Sharing the Waters of the Murray-Darling Basin

Interpreting householder preferences to evaluate water supply

Study helps 'water down' community concerns

Designing environmental flows for the Murray

Can domestic bores help save our drinking water?

The Ring of Confidence - Incorporating Uncertainty into Sediment Transportation Models

Community Engagement for the Reef's sake

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The Water for a Healthy Country Flagship is a CSIRO initiative and part of the National Research Flagships program that aims to deliver scientific solutions to advance Australia's most important national objectives. One of the largest scientific initiatives ever mounted in Australia, it aligns closely with the Federal Government's National Research Priorities. The initiative brings together our national research resources to deliver breakthroughs in fields ranging from healthcare to light metals and the environment.

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