ENVS THESIS DEFENSE: Thursday, December 8, 1:00pm to 2:30pm, Social Work Large Conference Room WSQ 211: Nick Ajluni, M.S. Candidate: Using Recycled Water for Potable Reuse in Santa Clara County, CA: High School Student's Knowledge and Acceptance

[Laura Bates]

PLEASE FORWARD, ANNOUNCE, AND POST:

The Department of Environmental Studies at San José State University is pleased to present a public research presentation

 

Thursday, December 8

1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

Social Work Large Conference Room

(WSQ 2nd Floor in Social Work Main Office)

 

A Thesis Defense by

Nick Ajluni

M.S. Candidate

Environmental Studies Department

San Jose State University

 

USING RECYCLED WATER FOR POTABLE REUSE IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA:
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AND ACCEPTANCE

 

Abstract:

The growing, drought prone state of California has an ever increasing demand for water.  Potable reuse is a viable alternative water supply, but public attitudes, knowledge, and acceptance has limited its implementation. This study gains an understanding of knowledge and acceptance that high school students have towards potable reuse.

            Previous research has identified four critical factors that affect acceptance of potable reuse: 1) knowledge of the wastewater treatment process, 2) knowledge of local water supplies, 3) trust in local water resource managers, and 4) belief in the need for a new water supply.  This study uses both quantitative and qualitative methods through a Likert style survey on 174 students at three high schools to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and acceptance that they have towards potable reuse before and after an educational intervention.

The results of this study show that a short educational intervention makes a significant impact on students’ acceptance of potable reuse.  Out of the four critical factors, the belief in the need for a new water supply has the largest impact on acceptance, and demographic variables have little significant impact. Also, high school students share the same concerns with potable reuse as adults. The results of this study will help local water managers better focus their efforts on outreach to improve attitudes and acceptance of potable reuse.

 

Light Refreshments Provided. All Are Welcome.

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Laura Bates

Graduate Program Assistant

Environmental Studies Department

San Jose State University

laura.p...@sjsu.edu