Consumer Perceptions Of Tap Water Bottled Water And Filtration Devices

The objectives of this project were (1) to measure consumer satisfaction with tap water quality, (2) to investigate demographic trends in consumer satisfaction and consumption of tap water alternatives, (3) to identify the factors that cause consumers to purchase and use bottled water and POU/POEs, and (4) to develop a list of recommendations for water utilities that can improve consumer satisfaction and help bridge gaps between perception and reality. The following are highlights from the research project: Consumption rate of tap water alternatives is highly dependent on geographic location (20% usage rate in the Midwest vs. 80% on the West Coast). Tap water drinkers are more satisfied (20% on average) than tap water alternative drinkers concerning various aspects of tap water (e.g., overall quality, taste, appearance, smell, safety, healthiness). Tap water quality had limited influence on consumer satisfaction. The highest level of correlation (between satisfaction and water quality) was found to have an R2 - value of 34%-64% for hardness and total dissolved solids. Safety was the primary motivator for filtered water drinkers. Bottled water drinkers were divided between taste, safety, and healthiness.

Over the past decade, per capita consumption of bottled water in the U.S. has more than doubled. With this increase have come several concerns in recent years about the safety, quality, and environmental impacts of bottled water. The FDA regulates bottled water as a food and is responsible for ensuring that domestic and imported bottled water is safe and truthfully labeled. This report: (1) evaluated the extent to which FDA regulates and ensures the quality and safety of bottled water; (2) evaluated the extent to which fed. and state authorities regulate the accuracy of labels and claims regarding the purity and source of bottled water; and (3) identified the environmental and other impacts of bottled water. Includes recommendations. Illustrations.

Over the past decade, the consumption of bottled water in the U.S. has more than doubled -- from 13 gall./person in 1997 to 29 gall./person in 2007. With this increase have come several concerns over bottled water's quality and safety. For ex., bottled water does not necessarily have lower levels of contamination than tap water. Several org. have raised concerns about a low recycling rate for plastic water bottles. This testimony addresses three issues: (1) the extent to which fed. and state authorities regulate the quality of bottled water to ensure its safety; (2) the extent to which fed. and state authorities regulate the accuracy of labels or claims re: the purity and source of bottled water; and (3) the environmental impacts of bottled water.

Protecting and maintaining water distributions systems is crucial to ensuring high quality drinking water. Distribution systems-consisting of pipes, pumps, valves, storage tanks, reservoirs, meters, fittings, and other hydraulic appurtenances-carry drinking water from a centralized treatment plant or well supplies to consumers' taps. Spanning almost 1 million miles in the United States, distribution systems represent the vast majority of physical infrastructure for water supplies, and thus constitute the primary management challenge from both an operational and public health standpoint. Recent data on waterborne disease outbreaks suggest that distribution systems remain a source of contamination that has yet to be fully addressed. This report evaluates approaches for risk characterization and recent data, and it identifies a variety of strategies that could be considered to reduce the risks posed by water-quality deteriorating events in distribution systems. Particular attention is given to backflow events via cross connections, the potential for contamination of the distribution system during construction and repair activities, maintenance of storage facilities, and the role of premise plumbing in public health risk. The report also identifies advances in detection, monitoring and modeling, analytical methods, and research and development opportunities that will enable the water supply industry to further reduce risks associated with drinking water distribution systems.

The Water Science and Technology Board has released the first report of the Committee on Public Water Supply Distribution Systems: Assessing and Reducing Risks, which is studying water quality issues associated with public water supply distribution systems and their potential risks to consumers. The distribution system, which is a critical component of every drinking water utility, constitutes a significant management challenge from both an operational and public health standpoint. This first report was requested by the EPA, as the agency considers revisions to the Total Coliform Rule with potential new requirements for ensuring the integrity of the distribution system. This first report identifies trends relevant to the deterioration of drinking water quality in distribution systems and prioritizes issues of greatest concern according to high, medium, and low priority categories. Of the issues presented in nine EPA white papers that were reviewed by the committee, cross connections and backflow, new or repaired water mains, and finished water storage facilities were judged by the committee to be of the highest importance based on their associated potential health risks. In addition, the report noted that two other issues should also be accorded high priority: premise plumbing and distribution system operator training. This first report will be followed in about 18 months by a more comprehensive final report that evaluates approaches for risk characterization and identifies strategies that could be considered to reduce the risks posed by water-quality deteriorating events.

An updated and expanded edition of this popular consumer reference with over 200 commonly asked questions and answers about the water you drink. Written for the layperson, language is non-technical, covering health, home treatment, testing, conservation and federal regulations of water. An essential item for all library collections, it is also useful as a customer reference handout and for schools studying water.