What is it about?
Our research examines two basic questions regarding beliefs about the importance of water conservation and participation in city-sponsored water conservation initiatives among Hays residents: (1) Are residents who believe that water conservation is important more likely to engage in water saving behaviors? (2) What factors are associated with water conservation behaviors and participation in city-sponsored water conservation initiatives? To answer these questions, we examine data from a drop-off/pick-up survey of a random sample of Hays residents conducted in 2018 using a small team of undergraduate research assistants.
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Why is it important?
In semi-arid Great Plains communities, periodic droughts have historically induced episodes of water insecurity and increased reliance on groundwater mining for consistent access to freshwater for agricultural operations. The depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer has heightened the urgency of implementing soil and water conservation practices in the region, and municipal water districts in small cities and towns across the Great Plains are exploring strategies for reducing water consumption in the interests of being part of regional water insecurity solutions.
Perspectives
Our analysis reveals that, while residents who believe that water conservation is important are more likely to report taking routine measures to reduce household water use, such as washing full loads of laundry or checking for leaks in water lines or toilets, the importance of conservation beliefs matters less when it comes to taking more costly steps to reduce conservation, such as installing water efficient household fixtures and appliances, or investing in water efficient landscaping features.
Amanda Buday
Grand Valley State University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Thirsting for Sustainability: Water Conservation in a Great Plains City, Great Plains Research, January 2021, Project Muse,
DOI: 10.1353/gpr.2021.0000.
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