Consumers place the most trust in water utilities and scientists to provide them with information about their tap water compared to other entities, according to a survey conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the American Water Works Association (AWWA).
The May 2024 poll, called “Public Perceptions of Tap Water,” included responses from 2,010 adults served by water utilities in the United States.
Seventy percent of respondents said they trust their water utilities “a lot” or “some” for information about their water, with scientists close behind at 68%. Local governments (59%), state governments (57%), and environmental groups (57%) rounded out the top five most trusted groups. Trust in utilities was higher among White respondents (76%) than Hispanic respondents (73%) and Black respondents (65%).
Water affordability continues to be a big concern among the annual survey’s respondents. More than one in three (34%) report that they struggle to pay water bills on time. Of those who report struggling to pay their water bills, 83% would support a federal assistance program. Nearly 77% of respondents overall would support such a program.
“High quality drinking water is critical for all communities,” said David LaFrance, AWWA CEO. “It is clear that affordability is a growing concern for many people and that a federal assistance program to aid in paying water bills for vulnerable households would be supported by those in need. They also view water as no less essential than food and energy, both of which are supported by federal programs.”
As in previous surveys, patterns emerged in water quality ratings based on the race, income and gender of respondents. Nearly three in four survey respondents (72%) view the water in their home as safe, but both Black and Hispanic respondents rated their water quality lower than White respondents. Those who did not struggle to pay their water bills rated water quality 10 points higher than those who struggled to pay. Male respondents rated water quality 11% higher than female respondents.
Once again, recalling communication from water utilities other than a bill was associated with more positive perceptions of tap water. Respondents who remembered receiving recent communication from water utilities were three times more likely to say the safety of their water supply has gotten better over the past five years.
“It is so important that our communities understand how water is managed, treated, tested and delivered,” said AWWA President Cheryl Porter. “The simple act of talking about what goes into delivering safe and affordable water can have a big impact on how people perceive water quality, regardless of their ethnicity or income.
“Still, the best way to build trust with our communities and increase confidence in our water is to dedicate ourselves every day to providing safe, reliable service,” she added.
