Environmental Attitudes and Water Conservation Practices among Rural Households in San Juan, Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental: Implications for Sustainable Resource Management

Abstract

Background: Water scarcity and unequal access to clean water remain major challenges in many rural communities in the Philippines. In Barangay San Juan, Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental, households rely mainly on natural water sources and often experience water shortages, especially during dry seasons. These conditions highlight the importance of environmental awareness and water conservation practices in promoting sustainable water resource management. Aims: This study investigated the correlation between environmental attitudes and water conservation practices within rural households in Barangay San Juan, Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental. It aimed to profile respondents, evaluate their environmental attitudes, identify water-conservation practices, and perform an empirical analysis of the relationships among these variables. Study Design: A quantitative descriptive-correlational design was used. Data were collected through a structured survey questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics using the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient. Place and Duration of Study: San Juan, Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental, Philippines, from March and April 2026. Methodology: We included 232 households through simple random sampling; most respondents were female (69.2%) and aged 31–40 years (30.2%). Data were gathered using a structured Likert-scale questionnaire covering socio-demographics, environmental attitudes (7 items), and water conservation practices (7 items). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while Pearson r and tests of significant difference were applied at a 0.05 level of significance. Results: Respondents were mostly aged 31–40 (30.2%), female (69.2%), with elementary (45.3%) or high school education (42.7%), primarily engaged in farming (60.3%), and living in households of 3–5 members (52.6%). Environmental attitudes were moderate to high (M = 4.02, SD = 0.66), while water conservation practices were high (M = 4.15, SD = 0.62). Strong agreement was noted on protecting natural resources (M = 4.10) and educating family members on water conservation (M = 4.18). Inferential analysis showed a significant relationship between environmental attitudes and water conservation practices (p < 0.05), indicating that higher environmental awareness corresponds to better conservation behavior. Conclusion: Environmental attitudes significantly influence water conservation practices; strengthening environmental education, community participation, and sustainable water management is essential for responsible and long-term water sustainability.