A lived-experience investigation of narratives: recycled drinking water. Issue 4 (3rd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ching, Leong
• Is Part Of: International journal of water resources development. Volume 32:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 637
• Page End: 649
• Publication Date: 2016-07-03
• Subjects: Recycled drinking water -- yuck factor -- Singapore -- water policy -- lived experience methodology -- water governance; Water resources development -- Periodicals; Water-supply, Agricultural -- Periodicals; 333.91005
• DOI: 10.1080/07900627.2015.1126235
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0790-0627

Abstract

Abstract: Recycled drinking water (RDW) represents a cost-effective and technologically reliable source of urban water. Yet it remains one of the least implemented solutions because of emotional and psychological difficulties – the human dimension of the 'yuck factor', which has been empirically identified as statistically significant. Researchers have therefore recently expanded water research in RDW to include the psychology of users. This study builds on this effort by using the lived-experience methodology for the first time on RDW. Investigating the case of Singapore, the method reveals an 'insider's view' of key stakeholders, and uncovers human-scale narratives and experiences within the discourses of technology, economics of water supply, and ecological realities.