Household behaviour towards water conservation activities in Mvomero District in Tanzania: a convergent parallel mixed approach

Water pollution in both improved and unimproved sources have become a major environmental evil in the twenty-first century. Human related causes such as lack of pro-environmental behaviour and participation have further triggered the problem and consequently limiting access to clean water. Therefore, this paper examines households’ behaviour towards water conservation activities in Mvomero District. A convergent parallel mixed method is employed to collect both qualitative and quantitative primary data from 210 households regarding their socio-economic characteristics, their extent of participation in; as well as their perceived costs and benefits from water conservation activities. Findings from this study reveal that majority of the households are neither aware nor participating in the few practiced water conservation activities in the study area. In addition, different socio-economic factors such as education level, income, participation in water conservation activities, attitude, and environmental knowledge are statistically significant influencing water conservation behaviour positively except for income. The results of this study reflect the lifestyle of the households in Mvomero district, their behavioural groupings and complexity which are crucial for future policy options; and to policy makers who successfully desire to enhance water conservation behaviour to a broader community.