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Horticultural products irrigated with treated sewage: are they acceptable?

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Abstract

Public acceptance of treated sewage (TS) reuse in agriculture is a key element in successful implementation of TS reuse projects, but relevant research on the topic is limited. This study examined public willingness to accept (WTA) and willingness to pay (WTP) for agricultural products derived by irrigation with TS in Lorestan province, Iran, applying the contingent valuation (CV) method. The agricultural products determined for the study included corn, peaches, apricots, and plums, while TS was introduced in three qualities [Q1, complete TS treatment (i.e., physical treatment, aeration, and chemical treatment); Q2, partial TS treatment (i.e., physical treatment and aeration); and Q3, no TS treatment]. With reference to WTA, products irrigated with Q1 TS received 62.7% positive responses, while products irrigated with Q2 TS and Q3 TS received 21.3% and 17.0% positive responses, respectively. With reference to WTP, data showed that if the price of products derived by irrigation with TS was less than that of products irrigated with fresh water, some people would be willing to pay for these products (52.0% positive responses versus 48.0% negative responses). Awareness had a significantly positive impact on WTA1 and WTA2 (products irrigated with Q1 TS and Q2 TS, respectively) as well as on WTP1, WTP2, and WTP3 (products irrigated with Q1 TS, Q2 TS, and Q3 TS, respectively). Similarly, information sources had a significantly positive effect on WTP1, WTP2, and WTP3. Overall, individuals with high levels of health risk perception and high awareness showed high WTA, while non-processed corn and men were associated with low WTA. Concerning WTP, individuals with high awareness and those who had access to information sources showed high WTP, while men were associated with low WTP. Information about the importance of TS reuse, reduction of prices of products derived by irrigation with TS, and promotion of public confidence in TS are essential to increase public WTA and WTP.

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Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

    Zoherh Deh-Haghi & Asghar Bagheri

  2. Department of Agricultural Development, Democritus University of Thrace, Orestiada, Greece

    Christos A. Damalas

  3. Faculty of Humanity, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

    Zahra Fotourehchi

Authors
  1. Zoherh Deh-Haghi
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  2. Asghar Bagheri
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  3. Christos A. Damalas
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  4. Zahra Fotourehchi
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Contributions

ZD collected the field data, conducted statistical analysis of the data, and wrote the first draft in Persian language; AB conceptualized the study, supervised the methodology, validated the data, and wrote the original draft in English language; CAD validated the data, reviewed and edited the text, and prepared the final draft; ZF conducted statistical analysis of the data.

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Correspondence to Asghar Bagheri or Christos A. Damalas.

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This is an observational study. Ethics committee approval before study start was not mandatory.

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Responsible editor: Ta Yeong Wu

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Deh-Haghi, Z., Bagheri, A., Damalas, C.A. et al. Horticultural products irrigated with treated sewage: are they acceptable?. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 54057–54068 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-14552-8

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