Title: Changing patterns of household water consumption and conservation behaviour in Bangladesh: an exploration in the context of COVID-19 pandemic

Authors: Bipasha Singha; Osama Eljamal; Shamal Chandra Karmaker

Addresses: Water and Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Earth System Science and Technology, Kyushu University, Kasuga-koen 6-1, Kasuga-shi, Fukuoka, 816-8588, Japan; Department of Psychology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh ' Water and Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Earth System Science and Technology, Kyushu University, Kasuga-koen 6-1, Kasuga-shi, Fukuoka, 816-8588, Japan ' International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I2CNER), Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan; Department of Statistics, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

Abstract: COVID-19 prevention and control strategies have relied heavily on water. Thus, the goal of this research was to realise how the pandemic changed household water usage and conservation practices. We collected data from 418 participants across Bangladesh using an online survey. Our study revealed that during COVID-19, individuals used more water to wash hands, shower, wash foods after purchasing, and wash clothes than they did previously. However, no significant variations in water conservation were noted between before and during COVID-19. Individuals with a higher level of education, who resided in an urban setting, and had elderly family members in their houses were more likely than others to engage in water consumption while less likely to involve in conservation behaviours during COVID-19. Therefore, households should conserve water by using water-saving technologies, reusing treated water, storing rainwater, and establishing a water-saving culture in their homes to meet future demands.

Keywords: COVID-19; future water demand; hygiene-related diseases; water conservation; water consumption.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISD.2024.135259

International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 2024 Vol.18 No.1/2, pp.106 - 122

Received: 21 Sep 2021
Accepted: 20 Apr 2022
Published online: 03 Dec 2023 *

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