What Adolescents Know and Believe About Reclaimed Water and Water Scarcity: A Survey of School Children in National Capital Region

Based on a questionnaire survey administered to 540 adolescents (10-14 years old), the study offers some insights into what adolescents perceive as the causes of water scarcity in cities and whether reclaimed municipal wastewater can alleviate it. The study revealed that adolescents are aware of looming water crisis but lack solution based knowledge. Advertisements, community workshops and educational campaigns can enhance their water caring behaviour. Also girls are warier than boys to use reclaimed water for drinking. The findings can shape future policies, regulations and frameworks to alleviate the scarcity of freshwater by using reclaimed wastewater as one of the many solutions to safeguard water security and ensure sustainable supply of freshwater to urban populations.