Public water conservation campaigns

Objective
Adaptation
Sectors
Water
Cross-sectoral enabler
Communication and awareness
Organisation
UNEP-DHI Partnership – Centre on Water and Environment
Technology group
Water augmentation (increasing capture and storage of surface run-off)
CTCN Keyword Matches
Public water conservation campaigns

Public water conservation campaigns description

Public water conservation campaigns raise awareness in all levels of society about the importance of saving water to cope with its scarcity and ensure sustainability. The aim is to change citizen attitudes and behaviour to improve water use efficiency. This is done through education and awareness campaigns on the socioeconomic and environmental benefits of water conservation and different conservation methods.  Communication means include traditional and social media, as well as direct communication such as workshops, presentations, stakeholder dialogues, etc. Other means such as economic incentives can also be employed, for example, free installation of water meters. Raising water conservation awareness is important as the combined impact of even small improvements in individual household use can amount to significant savings at a municipality or regional level. 

Public water conservation campaigns implementation

Preparation and execution of public awareness campaigns requires a multidisciplinary team, including water experts, building and construction experts, and social marketing, communication and outreach and education professionals. 

A thorough analysis of local public water systems and consumer habits is typically undertaken (often using household surveys) to identify potential water savings and primary targets for consumer behaviour patterns. This includes identification of main target groups for awareness campaigns, for example local water utility companies, households, workplaces, large businesses, etc. Campaigns can also establish water conservation goals to facilitate tracking of progress and achievement of objectives. Critical components of planning and executing a campaign include communication protocols and materials organization and production, and establishment of partnerships with media, schools, local NGOs, etc. for effective dissemination.  

Environmental benefits of public water conservation campaigns

  • Reduces end water-use, in turn reducing pressures on water utilities, local freshwater sources and the environment. 
  • Requires less energy for abstraction, transport and treatment, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. 
  • Socioeconomic Benefits
  • Reduces water costs for utilities and end users.

Opportunities and barriers of public water conservation campaigns

Opportunities

  • Better understanding of water conservation is likely to promote greater  sustainable behaviour amongst citizens 
  • Inclusive approach encourages stakeholders and organizations to engage and work together 
  • Results in climate resilience: adaptation and mitigation benefits, such as  water source protection, water use reduction and mitigation of greenhouse gasses
  • Relatively low cost-technology with wide reach

Barriers

  • Certain conservation techniques such as water recycling need associated education on correct use to ensure safety and minimizing health threats from potential contamination
  • Success can be impeded due to public scepticism and lack of understanding about the impacts of personal water-use on overall supplies
  • Success often relies on individual behaviour on private properties, which can be difficult to monitor and measure, revealing only changes in combined impacts

Implementation considerations*

Technological maturity:         4-5

Initial investment:         2-3

Operational costs:         1-3

Implementation timeframe:     3-4

* This adaptation technology brief includes a general assessment of four dimensions relating to implementation of the technology. It represents an indicative assessment scale of 1-5 as follows:

Technological maturity: 1 - in early stages of research and development, to 5 – fully mature and widely used

Initial investment: 1 – very low cost, to 5 – very high cost investment needed to implement technology

Operational costs: 1 – very low/no cost, to 5 – very high costs of operation and maintenance

Implementation timeframe: 1 – very quick to implement and reach desired capacity, to 5 – significant time investments needed to establish and/or reach full capacity

This assessment is to be used as an indication only and is to be seen as relative to the other technologies included in this guide. More specific costs and timelines are to be identified as relevant for the specific technology and geography.



Sources and further information