Environmental Awareness and Its Role in Rationalizing Water Consumption among Residents of Al-Mismari Planned District, Al-Marj City: A Field Study

Abstract

This study aims to identify the level of environmental awareness and its role in rationalizing water consumption among residents of Al-Mismari Planned District in Al-Marj City. It also seeks to identify the main behaviors and practices related to water use and assess the need for strengthening environmental awareness programs. The study adopted a descriptive-analytical approach and used a questionnaire as the main instrument for collecting field data from a sample of 96 residents. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods and percentages. The results revealed a relatively high level of awareness among the respondents regarding the importance of water conservation and rational water consumption, with positive responses to the awareness items ranging from 71.88% to 87.50%. However, the findings indicated a clear gap between environmental awareness and some actual behavioral practices. While simple conservation practices, such as turning off water taps when not needed, showed relatively high levels of compliance, practices requiring behavioral changes or practical measures, such as repairing leaks and reducing water consumption during bathing, household cleaning, and car washing, showed lower levels of compliance. The study also revealed a significant weakness in the awareness role of relevant authorities, as 91.67% of the respondents indicated that the concerned authorities do not provide adequate awareness regarding rational water consumption, while 94.79% expressed a need for increasing awareness campaigns in the district. Furthermore, lack of environmental awareness was identified as the main perceived cause of excessive water consumption, accounting for 62.50% of the responses. The study concludes that rationalizing water consumption requires an integrated approach combining environmental awareness, behavioral change, community participation, and continuous maintenance of water networks and leak control.