Perceptions about water pollution among university students: A case study from Iraq

Abstract

This study intends to evaluate university students’ awareness regarding water pollution in Iraq to show the environmental education contribution in reducing water pollution. The study was conducted in Wasit university, Wasit province, Iraq by field questionnaire survey with 388 students from the civil engineering department and engineering college. The questionnaires were divided according to the pollution causes into industrial, agricultural and sewage water pollutants. The data were analyzed utilizing the thematic analysis to assess environmental knowledge and awareness of water pollution risks. The results show that most students have high interest in environmental conservation, yet, a lack of education in general environmental education, as the educational curriculum focuses on theoretical aspects more than the practical ones. The results also show that the media role is inactive concerning environmental awareness of water pollution. This study provides a scientific view of policymakers for potential future conditions to find solutions that achieve sustainability goals.

Keywords:

• Agricultural pollution sources
• environmental awareness
• industrial pollution sources
• university student’s awareness
• water pollution

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

The freshwater on the earth is about 3%. Furthermore, due to water pollution levels increment and climate change, this small percentage is decreasing. Since awareness of problems is the first step in the solution, this research aims to assess the environmental awareness for a conscious segment of the society which is university students, to find out the extent of their influence in reducing this problem.

Availability of data and material

Not applicable.

Informed consent statement

Not applicable.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest of any kind

Code availability

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Additional information

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Notes on contributors

Laheab A. Al-Maliki

Laheab A. ALMALIKI: Researcher, academic and civil engineer specialized in water resources. Holds a Master Degree since 2013. She had published several scientific papers in journals, conferences and seminars in civil engineering field, and still working on others. She currently works as a lecturer at Al-Qasim Green University.