A Q-methodological analysis of social perspectives on desalination and wastewater recycling technologies in Israel

Keywords: desalination, wastewater recycling, Q methodology, Israel
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Friday
Session Start / End Time: 2/25/2022 11:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/25/2022 12:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 9

Abstract

As climate change and population growth increase pressures on urban water availability world-wide, “new” or unconventional water is increasingly produced using desalination and wastewater recycling processes to augment water supply in water insecure regions. This paper examines Israel as a key global leader in the adoption of desalination and water recycling technologies. Currently, Israel produces nearly 40 percent of its drinking water annually using marine desalination, and treats 85 percent of its sewage at the national level. In this paper, we used Q-methodology to identify and interpret shared social perspectives among key water sector stakeholders in Israel. Our analysis applies an environmental governance framework to examine how stakeholders representing institutional actors in the public, private, and civil sectors perceive the role of desalination and wastewater recycling technologies amidst water insecurity in Israel.