How safe is safe enough? Public views of tradeoffs on the reuse of treated wastewater and sewage sludge

The aim is to develop and test a survey for measuring the nature and variability of Swedish citizens’ views on non-toxic environment and enhancement of a circular economy, and on their beliefs, attitudes, and policy preferences for wastewater reuse and land application of sewage sludge.

The innovations include: a public survey of Swedish publics’ views on wastewater reuse/sludge management within the policy context of reduction of toxic substances and circular economy goals for society. This will be informed by multiple stakeholders’ input regarding vital research questions and how to inform public respondents about the policy context. Stakeholders’ interpretations of the public’s views will be elicited.

This will be done through a review of the field, focus group discussions and a national public survey in Sweden.