Evaluating The Usage of Domestic Water for Good Health and Well Being

Abstract

All life depends on water. It is one of the most important natural resources and a core of sustainable development as it is critical for socio-economic development. Given the rapid pace of economic development and urbanisation, the United Nation Development Programme has identified water scarcity as one of the major environmental issues that require urgent attention. Hence, on 1st January 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were officially launched with a collective effort to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainability. Specifically, goal number six (6) of SDG is to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. This highlights the importance of water issue. As for Malaysia, the water issue has long been extensively discussed by the government since the 8th Malaysia Plan (2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005). Average Malaysian uses between 220 and 240 litres of water per day, which is higher than the recommended usage of 165 litres by World Health Organisation (WHO). Accordingly, the objectives of this research are to assess domestic water consumption behaviour in Malaysia and to further investigate their perception towards sustainability of water resources. Using questionnaire survey, the result indicates that majority of the respondents realise that the water consumption is high and they still believe that Malaysia has enough water supply. Therefore, the result of this study will contribute to the effort in ensuring a long-term balance between available water resources and water demand. Accordingly, initiatives can be created to assist in reducing the water usage until the target usage of 180 litres per capita per day can be achieved. It also provides policy makers with input and direction for them to design a holistic model on water demand management. This in turn will help in sound movement towards establishing a resilient and sustainable water resources.