Taking It for the Team: Public Decision-Making When Faced with Recycled Water

Abstract

Recycled water offers significant societal benefits, yet public acceptance remains a critical barrier to its use. In this study, we explore how social interactions and group dynamics influence the willingness to accept recycled water. Using a framed field experiment with 211 adults, we measured the compensation participants required to drink potable recycled sewer water and spring water in both private and public settings. Despite both water types being safe, participants demanded significantly less compensation to consume recycled water in a group setting, demonstrating a readiness to prioritize collective welfare over personal preferences. This finding highlights a willingness to “take it for the team” when public decision-making is involved. Unlike most existing research, which focuses solely on private acceptance, our study provides insights into public decision-making processes, offering policy-relevant implications for increasing recycled water adoption.