Household Preferences for Domestic Water Conservation Practices: A Systematic Literature Review

Water resources are threatened by water scarcity, making it crucial for households to play a significant role in conserving water to ensure its sustainability. This study aims to identify the preferences of households regarding domestic water conservation. The research followed the PRISMA 2020 review protocol and utilized the Scopus and Web of Science databases to conduct a systematic literature review. It is reflecting advancements in methodology for identifying, selecting, evaluating, and synthesizing related articles. Through thematic analysis, the study identified ten main themes, including: water-saving technologies, water conservation initiatives, households' characteristics, psychological factors, media influence, reduction in water usage, reduction in households' water demand, environmental protection, compliance with water conservation policies, and cost savings, with a total of 14 sub-themes. The findings emphasize the importance of understanding households' preferences in domestic water conservation to develop effective water-saving programs for future action plans and to provide necessary information for stakeholders. As a result, this study aims to provide policymakers and stakeholders with ideas and proposals for developing ways to boost community participation in water conservation activities. Aside from that, the systematic review recommended that more research be conducted on households' preferences for water conservation in Middle Eastern, Central Asian, and Southeast Asian nations. As a result, it is vital to research families' preferences for water conservation to understand their willingness to change their water usage habits and what alternatives they would explore if water conservation programs were implemented in their area.