Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) researchers have uncovered insights about the public’s views on drinking water, showing that trust in drinking water providers is high. They also found a need for increased education and transparent communication to maintain the public’s trust.
As populations continue to grow, there is an increasing need for safe drinking water. But water safety incidents like those in Flint, Michigan, have contributed to public safety concerns and potential mistrust in water providers.
Do Americans trust their drinking water providers?
In this study, published in the Journal of the American Water Resources Association, researchers aimed to investigate drinking water use, public trust and water quality concerns related to perceptions of drinking water safety.
The paper is coauthored by TWRI researchers Audrey McCrary, Texas A&M AgriLife Research specialist, Michael Schramm, research specialist, and Allen Berthold, Ph.D., associate director and assistant professor. Alongside coauthors Karissa Palmer, Stephanie deVilleneuve, and Holli R. Leggette, Ph.D., they used an exploratory survey to collect information from 1100 respondents from throughout the United States.
They found that most of the public uses municipal water and trusts their source of drinking water. Specifically, they found that water utilities are the most trusted, followed by local and state governments.
“I think the biggest result we found was that people generally trust water providers the most with their drinking water safety, even if it’s not where they’re getting their information about drinking water,” McCrary said. “So, there’s a real opportunity for those drinking water providers to talk with people about what goes into making drinking water safe.”
What should consumers with water quality concerns do?
Despite this trust, many respondents also reported drinking water problems like odd tastes, unpleasant smells and high levels of minerals. The study found that although these issues often do not affect safety, they influence people’s perceptions of drinking water safety.
“We found that people’s perceptions of drinking water safety change based on their experience with drinking water issues,” McCrary said. “If the drinking water coming out of your tap smells funny, looks funny or leaves behind mineral deposits, that starts your wheels turning about ‘Well, I’m not sure I want to drink this,’ even though it might be meeting safety standards. Those physical and sensory components are also important in how people perceive overall drinking water safety.”
Results suggested a need for increased education and transparent communication from water providers, she said. However, more research is needed to determine what communication methods are best for water safety messages.
To consumers, McCrary said, “As a consumer, you should think about your drinking water so that you can start a conversation with your utility provider if you’re having issues. That way, you can take charge of your own drinking water quality as best you can, if you’re ever concerned about it.”
