Modelling Preferences for Non-Conventional Water Sources for Toilet Flushing: A Discrete Choice Approach

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dc.contributor.advisorMofokeng, Teboho
dc.contributor.authorAndrews, Cameron
dc.date.accessioned2026-11-03T13:10:44Z
dc.date.available2026-11-03T13:10:44Z
dc.date.issued2026
dc.date.updated2026-11-03T13:07:26Z
dc.description.abstractUrban water systems in arid and semi-arid regions are increasingly stressed by climate change and rising demand, highlighting a need for decentralised and alternative supplies. While the technical feasibility of options such as desalinated seawater and recycled water is well established, household acceptance remains a key constraint, particularly for its household applications. This study investigated household preferences and underlying decision-making rules for using non-conventional water sources to flush toilets in the coastal, water-stressed context of Hout Bay, Cape Town. A labelled discrete choice experiment (DCE) was developed to compare partially treated seawater, recycled water, and drinking water as flushing sources, with attributes reflecting water aesthetics (stain, colour and odour), cost implications, and disposal practices. The experimental design presented six choice tasks to each respondent and was administered via intercept surveys, following piloting and refinement. A latent class (LC) model revealed two behavioural classes, namely an environmentally conscious group, insensitive to cost and aesthetics, and a cost-conscious group whose acceptance was strongly shaped by cost changes and the colour of the water, alongside support for improved disposal practices. Overall, the results indicate that toilet flushing is a viable entry point for household acceptance of non-conventional water sources, with partially treated seawater emerging as a particularly promising option in a coastal community. Implementation strategies should therefore be framed in relation to affordability for cost-sensitive households and environmental benefits for environmentally oriented households.
dc.identifier.apacitationAndrews, C. (2026). <i>Modelling Preferences for Non-Conventional Water Sources for Toilet Flushing: A Discrete Choice Approach</i>. (). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment ,Department of Civil Engineering. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43913en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationAndrews, Cameron. <i>"Modelling Preferences for Non-Conventional Water Sources for Toilet Flushing: A Discrete Choice Approach."</i> ., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment ,Department of Civil Engineering, 2026. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43913en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationAndrews, C. 2026. Modelling Preferences for Non-Conventional Water Sources for Toilet Flushing: A Discrete Choice Approach. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment ,Department of Civil Engineering. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43913en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Andrews, Cameron AB - Urban water systems in arid and semi-arid regions are increasingly stressed by climate change and rising demand, highlighting a need for decentralised and alternative supplies. While the technical feasibility of options such as desalinated seawater and recycled water is well established, household acceptance remains a key constraint, particularly for its household applications. This study investigated household preferences and underlying decision-making rules for using non-conventional water sources to flush toilets in the coastal, water-stressed context of Hout Bay, Cape Town. A labelled discrete choice experiment (DCE) was developed to compare partially treated seawater, recycled water, and drinking water as flushing sources, with attributes reflecting water aesthetics (stain, colour and odour), cost implications, and disposal practices. The experimental design presented six choice tasks to each respondent and was administered via intercept surveys, following piloting and refinement. A latent class (LC) model revealed two behavioural classes, namely an environmentally conscious group, insensitive to cost and aesthetics, and a cost-conscious group whose acceptance was strongly shaped by cost changes and the colour of the water, alongside support for improved disposal practices. Overall, the results indicate that toilet flushing is a viable entry point for household acceptance of non-conventional water sources, with partially treated seawater emerging as a particularly promising option in a coastal community. Implementation strategies should therefore be framed in relation to affordability for cost-sensitive households and environmental benefits for environmentally oriented households. DA - 2026 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - urban water systems KW - climate change LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2026 T1 - Modelling Preferences for Non-Conventional Water Sources for Toilet Flushing: A Discrete Choice Approach TI - Modelling Preferences for Non-Conventional Water Sources for Toilet Flushing: A Discrete Choice Approach UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43913 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/43913
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationAndrews C. Modelling Preferences for Non-Conventional Water Sources for Toilet Flushing: A Discrete Choice Approach. []. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment ,Department of Civil Engineering, 2026 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43913en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Civil Engineering
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjecturban water systems
dc.subjectclimate change
dc.titleModelling Preferences for Non-Conventional Water Sources for Toilet Flushing: A Discrete Choice Approach
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMSc
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