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Sustainable Water Use and Public Awareness in Portugal

Author

Listed:
  • Margarida Figueiredo

    (Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia & CIEP, Universidade de Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho, 59, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal)

  • Ana Fernandes

    (CBIOS, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Universidade Lusófona, Campo Grande, 376, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • José Neves

    (Centro Algoritmi/LASI, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Rua da Universidade, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
    IA&Saúde—Unidade de Investigação em Inteligência Artificial e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Saúde do Norte, CESPU, Rua José António Vidal, 81, 4760-409 Famalicão, Portugal)

  • Henrique Vicente

    (Centro Algoritmi/LASI, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Rua da Universidade, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
    Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia & REQUIMTE/LAQV, Universidade de Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho, 59, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal)

Abstract

The degradation of available water quality is a consequence of pollution, environmental degradation, and/or climate change resulting from human activities. Designing strategies to foster the adoption of sustainable behaviors requires an awareness within populations regarding water quality, water availability, and the proper consumption of water. The goal of the present work was to assess the population awareness of sustainable water usage practices. The data collection involved administering a questionnaire to a sample of 1723 participants, encompassing individuals of both genders and aged between 15 and 84 years. The questionnaire includes five specific themes (i.e., water quality, water availability, water resources, water saving, and water reuse). The outcomes indicate that despite a higher awareness of sustainable water usage practices, participants reveal low levels of awareness regarding water reuse. Furthermore, measures of participants’ overall awareness and the potential for improving it are presented. These metrics are crucial in enabling the grouping of participants according to similar characteristics, thereby streamlining the design of targeted interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Margarida Figueiredo & Ana Fernandes & José Neves & Henrique Vicente, 2024. "Sustainable Water Use and Public Awareness in Portugal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-24, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:13:p:5444-:d:1422944
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Imtiaz Hussain & Waseem Hayat & Siyuan Gong & Xiangjing Yang & Wing-Fu Lai, 2023. "A Comparative Analysis of Public Awareness Level about Drinking Water Quality in Guangzhou (China) and Karachi (Pakistan)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-19, May.
    2. Mahad S. Baawain & Abdullah Al-Mamun & Hamid Omidvarborna & Amal Al-Sabti & B. S. Choudri, 2020. "Public perceptions of reusing treated wastewater for urban and industrial applications: challenges and opportunities," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 1859-1871, March.
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