Household Wastewater Management in Arid Urban Areas: Assessing Behavioral Practices and Systemic Barriers in Yazd, Iran

Introduction: Rapid urbanization and improving living standards have increased domestic wastewater generation, placing additional pressure on water resources in arid regions. This study investigated the knowledge, practices, and perceived barriers related to household wastewater management among women in Yazd, Iran, a water-scarce city with limited sewerage infrastructure. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among ۴۹۱ participants using a validated questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, wastewater management knowledge, self-reported behaviors, and perceived barriers. Descriptive statistics and Pearson ’s correlation analysis were applied to analyze the data. Results: The findings revealed moderate levels of knowledge (۶.۹۲ ± ۲.۲۷ out of ۱۱) and suboptimal wastewater management behavior (۳۵.۸ ± ۷.۸ out of ۶۰). Although participants demonstrated relatively high awareness of the environmental impact of wastewater, important gaps were identified in practical water conservation knowledge and greywater reuse concepts. The most frequently reported barriers were the high cost of water-saving equipment (۶۰.۷%), insufficient water pressure (۴۶.۰%), and limited public awareness of water conservation methods (۴۳.۶%). Perceived barriers showed a strong negative association with household wastewater management behaviors (r = −۰.۶۲۵, p < ۰.۰۰۱), whereas knowledge alone was not significantly associated with behavior. Conclusion: Improving household wastewater management in arid urban areas requires integrated behavioral and infrastructural interventions. Public education, financial incentives, and expanded sewerage infrastructure could promote sustainable practices and advance Sustainable Development Goal ۶ (SDG ۶) in water-stressed regions.

کلیدواژه ها:

Wastewater Management ، Water Scarcity ، Conservation of Water Resources ، Behavior ، Sustainable Development Goals ، Yazd ، Iran.