Availability of usable water resources in the Asiatic region is becoming scarce at a rapid phase, as consequences of urbanization and climate change. Therefore, saving drinkable water is an unarguably essential sustainable measure. This paper presents a case study done on domestic water-saving potential in urbanized areas of the western province in Sri Lanka. The study approached a mixed methodology. Randomly selected and stratified 342 residents participated in a semi-structured questionnaire survey which was conducted online and at the field. Qualitative and quantitative data on sociodemographics, water consumption and water-related behaviours, attitudes and awareness were gathered. Correlation–regression analysis was performed by using SPSS software. A mathematical model to forecast regular and optimized water consumption was derived. The water-saving potential was computed by subtracting the optimized consumption from regular water consumption. Results of the study indicated that the water-saving potential on average was 30%, which accounted for a substantial saving of resources used for supplying potable water to the urban households, from transboundary water resources. Ten experts in the water sector in the country were interviewed and six of them were given a special type of questionnaire based on analytical hierarchy process method, on water consumer's decision-making, in selecting a water-saving option, from given three options. Respondents used 55.2% criteria weightage in selecting rainwater harvesting as a feasible method in reducing potable water consumption, which was significant for an urban setting.

中文翻译：

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减少城市家庭饮用水消耗的潜力：斯里兰卡的案例研究

作为城市化和气候变化的后果，亚洲地区的可用水资源正迅速变得稀缺。因此，节约饮用水无疑是一项必不可少的可持续措施。本文介绍了斯里兰卡西部省份城市化地区家庭节水潜力的案例研究。该研究采用混合方法。随机抽取和分层的342名居民参加了在线和现场进行的半结构化问卷调查。收集了关于社会人口统计学、用水量和与水有关的行为、态度和意识的定性和定量数据。使用SPSS软件进行相关回归分析。推导出了预测常规和优化用水量的数学模型。节水潜力是通过从常规用水量中减去优化用水量来计算的。研究结果表明，平均节水潜力为 30%，这对跨界水资源用于向城市家庭供应饮用水的资源进行了大量节约。采访了该国水行业的 10 位专家，其中 6 位接受了基于层次分析法的特殊类型问卷，调查了用水者的决策，从三个选项中选择节水选项。受访者在选择雨水收集作为减少饮用水消耗的可行方法时使用了 55.2% 的标准权重，这对城市环境具有重要意义。