The 'meaning' behind household rainwater use: An Australian case study

Delaney, C; Fam, D

The 'meaning' behind household rainwater use: An Australian case study

Delaney, C Fam, D

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Technology in Society, 2015, 42 pp. 179 - 186
Issue Date:: 2015-08-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Delaney, C	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Fam, D https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5549-5034	en_US
dc.date.issued	2015-08-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Technology in Society, 2015, 42 pp. 179 - 186	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0160-791X	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/36257
dc.description.abstract	© 2015 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Suburban rainwater tanks have the potential to reduce household mains water consumption, but simply installing the technology does not mean rainwater is automatically incorporated into everyday practices. Exploring how rainwater is conceptualised in contrast to mains water, and the way it is used in household practices, provides insights into why rainwater tank households may not be using less mains water than households without tanks. Water saving strategies that promote rainwater tanks tend to focus on installation rather than how, why and where rainwater is substituted for mains water. While there is the assumption that rainwater tank households use less mains water, an investigation of rainwater practices have revealed influential social and cultural factors that extend far beyond installing a new technology. Drawing on a household water study involving 21 interviews and 1425 surveys in the Illawarra region, Australia, practice theory principles provided insight into how rainwater was conceptualised, revealing the 'meaning' of rainwater as an influential factor informing its everyday use. The historical, cultural and emotional meanings of rainwater contribute to shaping its use in everyday practices. Rainwater means different things to different people and it is this spectrum of meanings that inform the range of practices, and volumes of use. This study highlights opportunities for increased integration of rainwater into household practices, which may broaden the perceived uses and usefulness, reshaping it's meaning over time.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Technology in Society	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.techsoc.2015.05.009	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Business & Management	en_US
dc.title	The 'meaning' behind household rainwater use: An Australian case study	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	42	en_US
utslib.for	1608 Sociology	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)/Institute For Sustainable Futures
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - ISF - Institute for Sustainable Futures
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	42	en_US

Abstract:

© 2015 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Suburban rainwater tanks have the potential to reduce household mains water consumption, but simply installing the technology does not mean rainwater is automatically incorporated into everyday practices. Exploring how rainwater is conceptualised in contrast to mains water, and the way it is used in household practices, provides insights into why rainwater tank households may not be using less mains water than households without tanks. Water saving strategies that promote rainwater tanks tend to focus on installation rather than how, why and where rainwater is substituted for mains water. While there is the assumption that rainwater tank households use less mains water, an investigation of rainwater practices have revealed influential social and cultural factors that extend far beyond installing a new technology. Drawing on a household water study involving 21 interviews and 1425 surveys in the Illawarra region, Australia, practice theory principles provided insight into how rainwater was conceptualised, revealing the 'meaning' of rainwater as an influential factor informing its everyday use. The historical, cultural and emotional meanings of rainwater contribute to shaping its use in everyday practices. Rainwater means different things to different people and it is this spectrum of meanings that inform the range of practices, and volumes of use. This study highlights opportunities for increased integration of rainwater into household practices, which may broaden the perceived uses and usefulness, reshaping it's meaning over time.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/36257