Water Science & Technology: Water Supply Vol 6 No 5 pp 27–34 © IWA Publishing 2006 doi:10.2166/ws.2006.827
An information disclosure technique for reducing citizens' concerns about tap water quality
S. Itoh*, N. Hirayama**, K. Kagawa***, S. Shiro* and S. Echigo*
*Department of Urban Management, Kyoto University, Yoshida-honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan (E-mail: itoh@urban.env.kyoto-u.ac.jp)
**Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution, Wakihama-Kaigan-dori 1-5-2, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 651-0073, Japan
***Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, 2-1-3 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo 100-8918, Japan
ABSTRACT
An information disclosure technique is proposed to reduce citizens' concerns about tap water quality. Psychological factors to reduce citizens' concerns were identified based on a cognitive appraisal model. Then, a questionnaire survey was conducted to statistically evaluate the effect of the types of information to the concern level of citizens about tap water quality. The results of the survey showed that the information that increases citizens' trust or controllability (i.e. citizens' perceptions that they can control the risk of tap water quality themselves) is effective in reducing their concern about tap water quality.
Keywords: Cognitive appraisal; concern; controllability; drinking water quality; information disclosure technique; trust
Full article (PDF Format)
PAY-PER-VIEW: Buy this article for £20.00 (IWA MEMBER PRICE: £15.00)
|
