Disentangling social perspectives on the use of reclaimed water in agriculture using Q methodology

  • 0CEIGRAM, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Senda del Rey 13, 28040, Madrid, Spain; Department of Agricultural Economics, Statistics and Business Management, ETSIAAB, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Campus Ciudad Universitaria, Av. Puerta de Hierro 2-4, 28040, Madrid, Spain.

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Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Reclaimed water offers irrigation solutions, but social acceptance is key. This study identifies three distinct stakeholder views on its use in Spain, highlighting needs for dialogue and policy support.

Area Of Science

  • Environmental Science
  • Agricultural Science
  • Social Science

Background

  • Water scarcity drives demand for alternative irrigation sources like reclaimed water.
  • Social acceptance is critical for widespread reclaimed water adoption in agriculture.
  • Previous research has not fully captured the diverse stakeholder perspectives on reclaimed water use.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To explore and identify the range of social perspectives on reclaimed water for irrigation in Spain.
  • To uncover synergies and points of friction among different stakeholder groups.
  • To inform policies promoting sustainable and equitable water reuse.

Main Methods

  • Employed Q methodology with 23 stakeholders representing diverse sectors.
  • Interviewed participants from NGOs, food retailers, public administrations, and water reuse experts.
  • Analyzed qualitative data to identify distinct viewpoints and areas of consensus/disagreement.

Main Results

  • Identified three core perspectives: promotion for production, potential with technological needs, and cautious expansion due to environmental risks.
  • Found consensus on reclaimed water's value but noted consumer information gaps.
  • Highlighted disagreements on ecological impacts and cost-sharing for reuse projects.

Conclusions

  • Sustainable reclaimed water use requires case-by-case assessment of technology and site conditions.
  • Awareness campaigns and administrative support are vital for agricultural reclamation.
  • Fostering stakeholder dialogue is essential for effective water policies in water-stressed regions.