Permanent versus Temporary Infrastructure Solutions: Hosting Communities’ Perceptions toward Methods of Provision of Water Services to Displaced Persons in Germany

In 2016, the European Union received 1.2 million first-time asylum seekers. Approximately 60% of these were registered in Germany. Such a sudden influx of population poses technical and managerial challenges for critical infrastructure systems due to unexpected loads on the system and a lack of front-end planning to enable the infrastructure to adapt to increased users. The potential impacts of providing water to these populations may influence how hosting communities perceive incoming displaced persons and the methods used to provide water service. This study seeks to assess these public perceptions towards various methods of providing water services to displaced persons, specifically: (1) using permanently expanded infrastructure, (2) using temporary infrastructure, or (3) making no changes to the water system and solely using preexisting infrastructure. Data for this study were collected in August 2016 via a web-based survey (n = 416) deployed to German residents to assess public views toward the provision of infrastructure service for displaced persons. Statistical modeling is used to estimate geographic locations (i.e., state of residence), socio-demographic parameters (e.g., income, educational level), and characteristics (e.g., primary news source) that influences the likelihood of the German public supporting or opposing the different methods of providing water service to displaced persons. Incorporating public perceptions into decision-making may aid decision makers in anticipating and mitigating public opposition during the provision of services, developing community-supported solutions, and assisting with the integration of displaced persons into local communities.