Acceptance of direct potable water reuse for domestic purposes: evidence from southern Spain.

Under current Spanish law, domestic use of recycled water is only permitted during an officially declared disaster; however, it could be an option from a regulatory perspective. However, would Spaniards be willing to use recycled water in the home if necessary? This study investigates the public acceptance of recycled water use in Spanish households and identifies the determinants of acceptance. In data from 791 questionnaires administered in southern Spain, recycled water is the least acceptable option for alternative sources of water, behind both rainwater collection and desalination. Perceived health risk and environmental awareness explain the differences in acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]