This research describes geospatial analyses of water‐related knowledge and opinion data on potable water reuse collected through a large‐scale public survey of water utility customers in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We identify key geographic areas, or statistically significant “hotspots,” of public distrust in the local water utility provider, public willingness (or lack thereof) to accept potable water reuse, and lack of knowledge or misconceptions about water‐related issues and climate change. By combining public survey data, geographic information system software, and spatial statistics for hotspot analyses, we introduce a tailored outreach method to identify geographic locations for targeted outreach and education on water‐related issues. This new approach to analyzing survey data is a promising dimension of water management, and the method could be important for tackling other resource management issues in additional cities or regions as well.
Wastewater reuse and other nontraditional water supply options may become necessary for communities facing extended drought due to population shifts and climate change.A community survey and subsequent analyses uncovered misconceptions and gaps in public knowledge surrounding water resources and water reuse.Surveys are useful for understanding public knowledge and opinions but must be supplemented with meaningful education and outreach.Without genuine public engagement and trust-building, water infrastructure projects might not align with a community's values and interests.
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