Water Use Efficiency: A Review of Contextual and Behavioral Factors

Abstract

Water withdrawals around the world have increased almost twice as fast as the population during the last century. Higher than expected water demand is leading to water scarcity and causing rapid depletion of water tables around the world. One reason behind the higher than expected demand is the inefficient use of water. Inefficient use of water affects the well-being of society, the economic stability of countries, and environmental health. Indeed, water use efficiency (WUE) is one of the pillars of sustainable development goals (SDG 6.4.1). However, progress toward achieving WUE is slow, especially for many developing countries where the degradation of natural resources is critical, economic growth is slow, and there are few strong institutions to coordinate actions. One reason behind inefficient water use is human behavior. A variety of contextual and psychological factors underlie the behavior. The contextual factors include socioeconomic, technical, institutional, and environmental factors and the behavioral factors include factors associated with the perception of risk, attitudes, norms, etc. Yet, few studies consider an integrated view of these factors in shaping water use behavior. This paper consolidates contextual and behavioral factors which influence water use, studies the gaps in our understanding of human water behavior underlying WUE and highlights the need to comprehensive assess and consistently measure such factors and their relationships. Based on the gaps identified, it proposes a conceptual model that connects contextual and behavioral factors and represents potential cause-effect relationships as supported by various environmental behavior approaches and psychological theories. Based on the literature review of water use, and conservation behavior, environmental psychology, and water use models, this model proposes an institutional factor to assess the relationship between institutions and stakeholders, and study contextual factors linked not only for individual water users but also studying these factors for individuals of water supply organizations.

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“…In addition, these resources are key to the sustainability of the natural environment and the evolution of ecosystems [1,2]. The conservation and efficient use of water resources currently face variable and unpredictable global challenges that manifest themselves in various ways [3][4][5].…”

Mechanisms to change farmers' drought adaptation behaviors in Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Iran

“…In recent years, various theories have been applied to account for and predict farmers' behaviors. Different contextual and behavioral factors affect the display of pro-environmental behaviors (Callejas Moncaleano et al, 2021). Contextual components refer to people's contextual characteristics and physical environment (Dreibelbis et al, 2013).…”

“…Contextual components refer to people's contextual characteristics and physical environment (Dreibelbis et al, 2013). These factors influence people's behaviors differently and may facilitate or limit them (Callejas Moncaleano et al, 2021). The social, economic, and technical components were indicated to be important in predicting water use (Russell and Knoeri, 2020).…”

“…Behavioral components are known as the decisive factors that may immediately influence people's behaviors. They also include measures and habits that can directly be observed and factors that affect people's mindsets (Callejas Moncaleano et al, 2021).…”