Understanding the Factors that Influence Domestic Water Consumption within Melbourne

This social research project investigated the factors that influence community receptivity to using alternative water sources and technologies at the household scale. Focused through the City of Bayside, in southeast Melbourne, it involved a survey testing receptivity to a series of proposed activities using rainwater, greywater and seawater. It also tested perceived barriers to installing water reuse technologies. Increasing population and potential implications of climate change are driving the need to substantially reduce Melbourne's potable water demand. So far, there have been few investigations into how to improve community receptivity to potable substitution to support urban water reform initiatives. The results revealed that water reuse receptivity was highest for external uses, such as watering gardens and flushing toilets, and progressively decreased with increasing personal contact, with receptivity to greywater declining more rapidly. Retrofitting of domestic rainwater tanks and greywater reuse systems was identified at around 5%. Difficulty, cost and renter status were revealed as key barriers to widespread implementation rather than poor awareness and attitudes. This evidence suggests that it is imperative that future initiatives harness this strong receptivity. Dedicated incentives, combined with active skills transfer and implementation and operational knowledge-building, should be the core elements of future programs, which need to be facilitated by a 'help-line' type service.