Rainwater harvesting: A case study of public readiness in Bandar Baru Bangi

Changes in modern lifestyles have changed the way water is to be consumed in the community. Increased water demand has prompted governments to introduce the method of rainwater harvesting as an alternative source of water supply. Yet, consumers’ aspiration and behavior regarding rainwater harvesting remains virtually and scientifically unexplored. This paper examined public readiness for the use of rainwater harvesting system in residential premises. Bandar Baru Bangi was selected as research area due its high frequency of water shortage and water rationing. A total of 378 respondents was randomly sampled and stratified by weighting the number of residential premises per section in the study area. The study found that a large majority members of the public in Bandar Baru Bangi considered the harvested water unfit for drinking as based on their risk perception. They felt the presence of a risk or danger to health if the harvested water was consumed as drinking water.