Acceptance of a resource-oriented sanitation systems – Empiric results of a resident survey

Abstract

Resource-oriented sanitation systems are a suitable solution to approach demographic and climatic challenges. Further, the separate collection and recycling of wastewater sub-streams such as black-water originating from toilets can make a valuable contribution to the ecologically sustainable design of urban districts. Regarding the required user acceptance of the management of black water systems there is hardly any empirical evidence available. This paper addresses this research gap by presenting the findings of questionnaires (n_F = 63) and interviews (n_G = 31) conducted with residents in Europe's largest urban neighbourhood with a blackwater system located in Hamburg Jenfeld. As a result, a positive perception of the implemented blackwater management can be reported. Nevertheless, technical challenges should be taken into account in the sense of a broader introduction of blackwater systems