ANNOUNCEMENTS
As urban water scarcity intensifies due to rapid population growth and climate variability, cities are compelled to adopt efficient water management strategies. This study investigates whether water rationing, a supply side intervention, results in reduced household water consumption and whether this reduction is accompanied by behavio u ral changes. It also examines the role of storage tank capacity in shaping water use under rationed conditions. Primary survey data were collected from 10 0 househo lds in Guwahati 5 0 under rationed supply and 5 0 with continuous access. 30 households were randomly selected within each group for the final samp ele. Statistical tests, including an independent t test, Mann Whitney U tests, and Pearson’s correlation, were applied to analyze per capita consumption, conservation behavio u r, and the correlation between tank size and water use. The results show a significant reduction in daily per capita water consumption among ra tioned households, along with a higher frequency of conservation oriented practices. A strong positive correlation between tank size and consumption was also found, indicating that storage infrastructure can offset the benefits of rationing. These findings underscore the importance of integrating infrastructure design and behavio u ral interventions with supply side measures for sustainable water conservation.
Keywords: Water Rationing, Urban Water Management, Household Water Consumption, Behavio u ral Change, Water Conservation Strategies.
