Identifying and Investigating the Factors Affecting Household Water Consumption with the Fuzzy Delfi and Topsis Hybrid Approach

Document Type : Applied Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Candidate of Industrial Management, Department of Management, College of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, Babol Branch, Babol, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Management, College of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, Babol Branch, Babol, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of Management, College of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, Babol Branch, Babol, Iran

Abstract

In recent years, many cities have been suffering from a shortage of drinking water, mainly due to population growth. Therefore, the tendency to curb excessive water consumption by identifying the main factors affecting consumer behavior in the management of drinking water resources has become very important. Understanding this necessity, the purpose of this study is to identify, and prioritize the factors affecting the pattern of water consumption in the home sector. In this regard, by reviewing the literature in the field of water and interviewing industry experts, the factors affecting consumption in various criteria were identified and monitored. Then, through fuzzy Delphi, action factors were examined and finally, 7 main economic, social, cultural, technical and engineering, legal and managerial, spatial and temporal criteria with 26 sub-criteria were identified. Evaluation and ranking of these factors were performed using the fuzzy Topsis technique. Results obtained from the research of family awareness with weight (0.756) first rank, use of water reducing devices (0.670) second rank, advertising and education (0.603) third rank, consumption motivation (0.545) rank Fourth, water tariffs and pricing (0.508) were ranked fifth and the use of new valves (0.423) was ranked sixth. The findings show that among the various factors, educating and increasing the awareness of households on how to consume water and the use of reducing devices can play an important role in managing water consumption.

Keywords


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Volume 8, Issue 4 - Serial Number 22
Climate change has exacerbated extreme events
March 2022
Pages 11-22
  • Receive Date: 12 July 2021
  • Revise Date: 10 August 2021
  • Accept Date: 24 September 2021