Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
irrigation appear to use less water than they actually do, based on our observed
demand rates. This represents a limitation to our analysis, as does the lack of
household-level, metered water-use data. These issues and other challenges in
mixed-methods research are further described after we present the results of our
analysis.
2.3.3 Analyzing Geospatial Human-Environment Information
Focusing on neighborhood as the primary unit of analysis, we utilized mixed
methods to:
1. describe socio-spatial trends in actual versus perceived demand in Phoenix;
2. identify the extent to which perceptions and actual water use do and do not
correspond across varying neighborhoods; and,
3. explain the patterns of single-family residential water use relative to perceptions
and other key drivers of demand.
First, we calculated descriptive statistics and created histograms and maps to
evaluate the distribution and socio-spatial patterns of actual and perceived water
demand. Second, we categorized metered demand and perceived use as relatively
low, moderate, and high to illustrate where matches and mismatches occur
through cross-tabulations of the two variables. Specifically, actual water use was
categorized based on equal intervals to reflect low, average, or high demand as,
respectively, 0-100, 101-200, and
200 GPCD. Individual perceptual judgments,
originally recorded on a 1-5 Likert-type scale, were also converted into three
categories wherein responses of 1 ( much less ) and 2 ( a little less ) were classified
as low perceived use, 3 ( about the same ) as average, and 4 ( a little more ) and 5
( much more ) as high perceived use. To capture collective perceptions by neighbor-
hood, equal intervals were used to classify mean perceptions, wherein
>
2.5 was
classified as low, 2.5-3.5 as average, and > 3.5 as high perceived use. In the third
step, we developed a typology of 16 in-depth case study neighborhoods, where we
have both types of data, to illustrate the relationship between low to high demand,
related perceptions, and other critical determinants of water consumption locally.
Finally, we recommend how information from our integrated socio-spatial analysis
might be used to strategically target diverse geographic areas with the most
effective conservation programs and policies.
<
2.4 Results
Actual water use rates were highly variable (Fig. 2.1 ), with the highest water
demand rates in wealthy, moderately aged neighborhoods. Meanwhile, residents
largely view their use of water as low to average but typically not above normal
Search WWH ::




Custom Search