A Perception Study of an Integrated Water System Project in a Water Scarce Community in the Philippines

A multicriteria decision analysis for selecting rainwater harvesting systems in rural areas: a tool for developing countries

Global water provision challenges have promoted decentralized water supply alternatives such as rainwater harvesting systems (RWHS). RWHS sustainability demands involve social, technical, and economic criteria in planning. Generally, in rural areas, water provision is more complex due to multiple uses of water, scattering of households, and low economies of scale. This research proposes a multicriteria tool for selecting RWHS in rural areas, considering social, technical, and economic criteria. The tool was developed by systematically identifying subcriteria and their hierarchization through the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), and a case study validation. Seven subcriteria were identified. The hierarchy of criteria was social (49.7%), technical (26.4%), and economic (23.9%). The tool involved: (i) users' consultation about the perceived ease of use and availability of water sources other than rainwater; (ii) system dimensioning to establish supply size, maintenance requirements, and required water quality; and (iii) costs and benefits estimation. Tool validation in a rural area included the evaluation of the alternatives proposed: (a) alternative 1: potable domestic uses (PD) and non-potable (NPD); (b) alternative 2: PD and NPD, irrigation of crops and chicken farming for self-consumption; and alternative 3: PD and NPD and chicken farming for profit sale. The sensitivity analysis showed the tool's consistency and robustness. Tool validation highlights the importance of integrating the three dimensions in selecting RWHS. The study provides a systematic methodology to assess and prioritize RWHS, appealing to policymakers, engineers, and practitioners facilitating water management and supply processes in rural areas.

Water Value Integrated Approach: A Systematic Literature Review

Extreme water incidents point out a value conflict surrounding the resource. While drought and floods echo the inadequate land and resource uses, the increase in social inequalities exposes the practical, physiological, and social consequences. The multiple value action throughout the water cycle also narrowed disputes to those that neglect its vital importance, and the constraints imposed to the services, such as low tariffs, and lack of local engagement, make sustainable water systems more difficult. This article develops a systematic literature review to understand the academic motivations surrounding water value and gaps in its systematic approach. A sample with 84 papers is created by an interactive keyword selection and its general characteristics are presented. A dynamic reading technique extracts data and classifies the papers according to 14 research motivations, where the water multifunctionality and the user value stand out. The bibliographic coupling analysis identifies a cluster of 16 papers related to integration and connected to planning, decision, and management. There is a lack of contribution with a systemic approach to water resources by way of integrating actors and values, such as including local contexts.

Evaluating workplace safety in the oil and gas industry during the COVID-19 pandemic using occupational health and safety Vulnerability Measure and partial least square Structural Equation Modelling

The study aims to apply the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to model workplace safety in the Oil and Gas Industry (OGI) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The five areas of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Vulnerability Measure (e.g., Exposure to Workplace Hazards, Policies and Procedures in the Workplace, Perception on Health & Safety Culture in the Workplace, Self-Awareness in Health & Safety Procedures and Responsibilities, and Preventive Measure for Prevention of the Transmission of COVID-19 at Workplace) were considered as the constructs to be evaluated. Fifty workers from the oil and gas industry worldwide participated in the online survey, and the data were analyzed using the SmartPLS software. The results revealed that only Perception on Health & Safety Culture was a significant factor influencing the perceived workplace safety in the OGI during the COVID-19 pandemic (β = 0.603; t-value = 3.323; p-value = 0.001). The study suggested that the oil and gas companies should maintain a positive perception of health and safety culture to improve workplace safety even during the pandemic.

"Who Cares?": The Acceptance of Decentralized Wastewater Systems in Regions without Water Problems

There is a growing interest in decentralized wastewater treatment systems, especially in regions with water scarcity problems or water management issues. This study aims to determine whether the perceived advantages and disadvantages (leading to acceptance) of decentralized wastewater plants in such regions are the same in regions where the population is not aware of these water issues. Firstly, this study systematically reviews previous findings on public perceptions of the acceptance of decentralized wastewater treatment systems. Then, the study details the results of a focus group study to determine whether the elements identified in the literature are also relevant in a region where people are unaware of water problems. The results show that a lack of awareness of water issues seems to be a critical factor influencing acceptance. Reframing the usefulness of these systems by focusing on other aspects, such as environmental sustainability, is key.