Assessment of Consumer Acceptance and Public Awareness of Drinking Water Quality in Tobruk, Libya: An Analytical Field Study

Abstract

This study aims to investigate consumer acceptance of drinking water quality and assess public awareness regarding water-related issues in Tobruk. Employing a descriptive-analytical approach, a questionnaire was administered to a sample of 317 water users. The study focused on six primary dimensions: sources of drinking water, concern for local water quality, satisfaction levels, trust in water safety, quality control measures, and risk awareness. Data analyzed via SPSS revealed that 44.8% of respondents rely on the municipal water network, while 24.3% utilize water from desalination plants. Regarding public perception, 76% of the participants showed a lack of concern for water quality, while 75.7% expressed general dissatisfaction with the available water quality. The study recommends launching intensive awareness campaigns, enhancing the role of regulatory authorities in monitoring water quality from source to consumer, and fostering stakeholder collaboration to improve drinking water standards.