If we know the water quality is poor, do we still go in for a swim? Does the source of this information affect our choices? These are the questions asked by the researchers at the University of Warsaw, as they examine the effectiveness of information regarding waterborne health risks.
Their research centres around the Gulf of Gdańsk, which welcomes over seven million tourists each year, on top of a population of around 1.6 million residents. Recent problems with water pollution in Poland could profoundly affect tourism and public health, and the impact of climate change will only cause more problems. How can communication help?
The research team is investigating whether information regarding health risks can change people’s behaviour and preferences. How effective are different types of information interventions among separate groups who use the water?
A variety of content and methods is being analysed for preferences and behaviour (with a control established for prior knowledge). The team will evaluate potential information interventions through a cost-benefit analysis: which methods are worth investing in?
Here’s what’s happening:
The Gulf of Gdańsk is a particularly important area for Polish and wider European) tourism. In recent years, events such as the pollution of the Vistula Spit (the largest river in Poland) along with the frequency of harmful bacteria in the Baltic Sea, have significantly reduced water quality.
Climate change can increase the frequency and severity of these events, as the warmer waters support harmful bacteria. The aim of this research project is to see if we can improve exposure of tourists to these pathogens by providing individuals with more and better information about water quality, and look into different ways of communicating this.
What is the impact of improved communication on recreation water use? Will more people stay away, or will we see a more measured approach with individuals choosing when to enter the water, based on the most recent information? This is why the cost-benefit approach is so crucial for this study.