Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Water Conservation in Household Consumption in Johor Bahru and Kuala Terengganu Districts of Malaysia

Abstract

Water conservation plays a crucial role in addressing water scarcity and upholding water purity as well as safeguarding the environment. Responsible water management and prudent usage are pivotal aspects of water conservation. This study aims to assess the awareness of water conservation practices among households in the Johor Bahru and Kuala Terengganu Districts of Malaysia. Additionally, it seeks to gauge the attitudes towards water-efficient appliances and water-saving behaviors in domestic water consumption and to identify the socioeconomic factors influencing water conservation. The study involved a field survey of 571 heads of households in February and March 2020. Through descriptive analysis and multiple linear regression, it was determined that the sampled households exhibited awareness regarding their water usage to promote water conservation. Most respondents, 74% in Johor and 72.7% in Terengganu, demonstrated familiarity with water conservation and expressed the intention to adopt water-efficient appliances for conservation purposes. A multiple linear regression research of water conservation and appliance installation found that income, number of children, education, age, and gender are major socioeconomic factors impacting water conservation attitudes, with income serving as the primary driver. Civil society organizations should seek to hold governments accountable, invest in water research and development, and advocate for the participation of women, youth, and indigenous peoples in water resource management. Raising knowledge of these roles and implementing them will result in win-win scenarios, as well as enhanced sustainability and integrity for both human and ecological systems. These findings hold significant value for Malaysian policymakers in designing pertinent policies and programs aimed at educating the community to integrate water conservation practices into their daily routines to achieve the goal of SDG 6 to guarantee that everyone has access to sustainable water and sanitation services, which is a vital climate change mitigation strategy for the years ahead.