Risk perception relating to effluent reuse on a university campus

An assessment of risk perception and communication relating to existing irrigation with tertiary-treated effluent was carried out at the Hawkesbury campus of the University of Western Sydney. This involved a 'knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices' (KABP) survey of staff, students and residents of properties adjacent to the campus, and was part of health-risk assessment aimed at upgrading risk management. In order to assess acceptance of risk relating to potential additional uses, respondants were asked to comment on a wide range of hypothetical recycling options. The majority of respondents considered the irrigation of grass, trees and shrubs to be acceptable, with approximately half of the staff and residents saying that they already used grey water for this purpose at home. Also acceptable was the irrigation of sports fields, vehicle cleasing, paved surface wash-down, flushing of toilets, and the filling of ornamental ponds and wetlands. While there was only limited acceptance of effluent irrigation for food production, acceptability increased with the introduction of physical or conceptual exposure barriers, such as the peeling or cooking of vegetables, or the production of milk from irrigated pasture. Respondents perceived local risk monitoring as essential to securing safety, even if assurances regarding the original effluent quality had been given by the supplying authority. The survey revealed a need to improve formal communication of risk information to staff and students.