Introducing centralised wastewater treatment in Bangkok : a study of factors determining its acceptability

Researchers examined the acceptance of a centralized wastewater treatment project by the residents of Bangkok, based on a survey of environmental knowledge and concerns, especially of surface water pollution, and of the willingness to pay for treatment costs. The Bangkok residents were found to prefer a centralized system, but they had no clear preference for a cost recovery system. Monthly household income, level of education and environmental awareness were the principal factors in acceptability of various aspects of the wastewater treatment system. However, acceptability declined when direct costs and changes in life style were involved. The conclusions of the study support the claim that the process of acceptance of wastewater treatment in Bangkok is closely related to the concept of adoption. The study found that complex stimuli, such as cost-effectiveness and the convenience of the technology, tend to influence the acceptability of the wastewater treatment project by Bangkok residents.