Economic and social viability of decentralised wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS) for non-potable water use in rural India

Le résumé fourni par la source

As water scarcity intensifies alongside rapid population growth, there is an increasing need for sustainable water management solutions that reassess conventional approaches. This study examines the economic and social dimensions of Decentralised Wastewater Treatment Systems (DEWATS) for non-potable use among farmer and household population in rural Uttarakhand, India, through field surveys conducted in Haridwar and Rishikesh. The study employs two stated preference methods: the Contingent Valuation Method for farmers, and the Contingent Ranking Method for households, to assess the willingness to pay and community preferences for treated wastewater reuse, respectively. Among the surveyed farmers (n = 55), multiple linear regression results show that willingness to pay for treated wastewater was positively associated with diesel irrigation costs (p < 0.05) and water renting behaviour (p < 0.10), and negatively associate with age (p < 0.05), suggesting that economic burden and demographic characteristics influence adoption decisions. Among the surveyed households (n = 100), multinomial logistic regression results identify that water source, water quality, and water wastage levels were the primary determinants of preference rankings, with respondents indicating willingness to pay any of the offered costs when the water quality was perceived as good and wastage remained moderate. The findings suggest that affordable pricing and quality assurance mechanisms may support DEWATS adoption in similar rural contexts. The study also identifies the importance of targeted awareness campaigns and cost-sharing arrangements between government and users for sustainable implementation. These findings offer preliminary evidence to support policy discussions on decentralised wastewater reuse and establish a foundation for future large-scale research on sustainable rural water management in India.

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