Water security in North Carolina’s most economically insecure county: a case study

How do people's perceptions of water quality influence the life cycle environmental impacts of drinking water in Uganda?

Introduction. In the context of increasing global consumption of bottled water, assessing its chemical composition and impact on public health becomes essential. Although perceived as a safe alternative, bottled water exhibits variability in its chemical composition, and advanced filtration methods can remove essential minerals. Consumers opt for bottled water due to its taste and convenience, yet awareness of associated risks remains limited. This study proposes the development and validation of a questionnaire to evaluate public perceptions of bottled water quality and its health impact, providing a valuable tool for public education and regulatory policies. Material and methods. The questionnaire was developed to analyze consumer attitudes and behaviors regarding bottled water. Structured into four sections (socio-demographic data, consumption habits, perceptions of quality, and health impact), it underwent multiple validation stages. A panel of experts assessed the relevance of the questions, and a pilot study was conducted with a sample of 32 adults (aged 24-62) to evaluate validity and internal consistency using the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Final validation was based on the feedback collected and statistical analysis performed using SPSS Statistics 27. Results. S-CVI/Ave and S-CVI/UA are indicators of questionnaire content validity, calculated based on item validity scores and the percentage of agreement among evaluators. The S-CVI/Ave and S-CVI/UA values exceeded the minimum standard of 0.80, while the I-CVI index ranged between 0.83 and 1.00, demonstrating excellent item validity. Following respondent feedback, 18 questions were revised, and 6 were removed, resulting in a second version with 61 items. The validity sample comprised 84.4% women and 15.6% men, aged 24 to 62 years. Most respondents considered the questions clear and easy to understand, although suggestions were made to improve clarity and avoid redundancy. Internal consistency was confirmed through the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, which was acceptable for most domains, except one, where the coefficient was below 0.70 but was retained due to the validity of the questions. Conclusions. The questionnaire for assessing bottled water consumption was successfully validated, demonstrating content validity and internal consistency. Face validity ensured the clarity of the question.

The present study aims to test a model of tap water risk and quality perception. A questionnaire was designed and applied to a convenience sample of 499 people in Portugal. The model includes aesthetic variables (colour, odour, and flavour), contextual indicators and risk perception. Other variables were also considered, including external information, trust in water companies, familiarity with tap water, and past water-related health problems. A behavioural outcome--drinking tap water--was also studied. Due to multivariate non-normality (Mardia's Coefficient (G2,P) = 460.3), the AGLS estimator was used for the structural equation model (SEM). A triangulation approach with multivariate regression analysis was used to explain the use of tap water to drink and to propose a more holistic model that could not be tested using SEM. Results show that perceived water quality is largely influenced by flavour. Other factors, such as perceived risk and contextual indicators, also have a role but their relevance is relatively weak. On the other hand, risk perception seems to be mainly a result of external information, past health problems, and water colour. Finally, the use of tap water to drink at home can be moderately explained and depends mostly on the ability to use alternatives (i.e. bottled water), tap water taste, and perceived risk.

Influence of recreational activity on water quality perceptions and concerns in Utah: A replicated analysis

Recreation demand models typically incorporate measures of the physical attributes of recreational sites; e.g., Secchi depth or phosphorous levels in case of water quality. Moreover, most studies show that individuals do respond to these physical characteristics in choosing where to recreate. However, the question remains as to whether the available physical measures accurately capture individual perceptions of water quality and if there is a additional role to be played by elicited perception measures in modeling recreation demand. In this paper, we use data from the 2004 Iowa Lakes Survey to model recreation demand as a function of both the physical water quality at 131 lakes in the state and household perceptions of lake water quality. In general, water quality perceptions are correlated with the available physical measures, but not perfectly so, and both actual and perceived water quality are found to significantly impact recreational site choice.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that citizen science can provide valuable data on physical, chemical, and biological aspects of water quality. These studies mainly used quantitative methods. Qualitative approaches have been used to describe water quality conditions for much longer, but remain largely overlooked. The color, odor, and presence of aquatic vegetation or garbage influence human perceptions of river water quality, the use of the water, and thus the relation between humans and waterbodies. Yet, few studies have assessed how visual water quality indicators and local knowledge of water quality or sources of pollution can be used in citizen science projects, despite recent studies calling for greater attention to qualitative data sources. Qualitative data can enhance the interpretation of quantitative data and deepen the understanding of human-water relations. This paper evaluates qualitative water quality descriptors collected through the citizen science smartphone app CrowdWater and analyses how citizen scientists perceive and assess water quality in the app. Our analysis not only indicates that some citizen scientists already take quantitative physical–chemical measurements of water quality (even though this is not part of the app) but also that they frequently report their perception of water quality based on visual indicators and local knowledge. Our study makes a methodological contribution to traditional approaches in citizen science and water quality studies, highlighting the need to explore less frequently used methods and data sources and less frequently studied aspects of water quality.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore people’s perceptions, stated attitudes, and observed and reported behaviour to water and other environmental quality. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopted a mixed method approach. It employed a cross-sectional survey design. Ten communities were selected in Accra and its surrounding communities to indicate various levels of infrastructure provision and environmental quality. Four separate focus group discussions (FGDs) were carried out in each community, with a mixed group of older and young adult men and women, a group of men only, a group of women only, and a group of young adults only. Following the FGDs, further information was obtained through structured household questionnaire survey involving 443 respondents. Findings – Different ideas were employed to explain people’s perceptions of water quality. There were common ideas such as on health, history of water use, perceptions which affect water use, and management of community activities which affect water sources. These ideas which emerged from the focus groups helped participants to assign meaning to their environment. Reported behaviour was influenced by the ability to pay for services, their availability and the influence of shared community norms. Although citizen participation in water and environmental management decision making was very limited, community collective action can be harnessed to enhance water and other environmental management. Originality/value – Adopted an interdisciplinary approach that enabled explanations to phenomenon to emerge from the perspectives of the society rather than views being suggested to them. Thus, resulting in evidence-based issues for intervention.

Because humans have such strong physical and emotional connections to water in the environment, it follows that individuals and groups will have strong ideas and expectations of that environment that must be related to visible features. Optical water quality describes the scattering and absorption of light in water as governed by its dissolved and particulate composition. Mineral suspended sediment, dissolved organic matter, and living and nonliving particulate organic matter have different influences on the behavior of light in water. The physical sciences endeavor to define variability in water quality, be it natural or anthropogenic, for use in water resource management. However, a more holistic approach to water resource management is becoming increasingly advocated, which requires investigation of the human dimension. The directly visible attributes of color and clarity of water are among the strongest influences on human perceptions of water quality. The observed environment is perceived through cognitive processes that are defined by spiritual and cultural beliefs and evolve with personal experience, creating the mental model. Water color and clarity can provide a critical link between water quality and human perceptions. Ethnohydrology is the study of culturally constructed knowledge and understanding of water. An interdisciplinary approach, integrating optical water quality measurement and ethnohydrology methods, may help achieve better awareness, communication, participation, and support in water resource management and sustainability endeavors.WIREs Water2016, 3:167–180. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1127This article is categorized under:Human Water > Water as Imagined and Represented

What determines the public’s support for water quality regulations to mitigate agricultural runoff?

BackgroundIn Canada, the legal responsibility for the condition of private water supplies, including private wells and cisterns, rests with their owners. However, there are reports that Canadians test these water supplies intermittently and that treatment of such water is uncommon. An estimated 45% of all waterborne outbreaks in Canada involve non-municipal systems. An understanding of the perceptions and needs of Canadians served by private water supplies is essential, as it would enable public health professionals to better target public education and drinking water policy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the public perceptions of private water supplies in the City of Hamilton, Ontario (Canada), with the intent of informing public education and outreach strategies within the population.MethodsA cross-sectional postal survey of 246 residences with private water supplies was conducted in May 2004. Questions pertained to the perceptions of water quality and alternative water sources, water testing behaviours and the self-identified need for further information.ResultsPrivate wells, cisterns or both, were the source of household water for 71%, 16% and 13% of respondents, respectively. Although respondents rated their water quality highly, 80% also had concerns with its safety. The most common concerns pertained to bacterial and chemical contamination of their water supply and its potential negative effect on health. Approximately 56% and 61% of respondents used in-home treatment devices and bottled water within their homes, respectively, mainly due to perceived improvements in the safety and aesthetic qualities compared to regular tap water. Testing of private water supplies was performed infrequently: 8% of respondents tested at a frequency that meets current provincial guidelines. Two-thirds of respondents wanted more information on various topics related to private water supplies. Flyers and newspapers were the two media reported most likely to be used.ConclusionAlthough respondents rated their water quality highly, the majority had concerns regarding the water from their private supply, and the use of bottled water and water treatment devices was extensive. The results of this study suggest important lines of inquiry and provide support and input for public education programs, particularly those related to private water testing, in this population.

Public support for carrot, stick, and no-government water quality policies

Perceptions of drinking water quality were measured for residents at four locations in Western Australia. The total dissolved solid levels for the locations varied. Four scales of drinking water satisfaction were measured: acceptability of water quality; water quality risk judgment; perception of neighborhood water quality; and attitudes toward fluoride as an additive. Responses to each of these scales did not appear to be highly related to total dissolved solids. The relationship between attitudes toward water quality and a variety of psychological, attitudinal, experiential, and demographic variables was investigated. It was found that responses to the acceptability of water quality and water quality risk judgment scales related to perceived credibility of societal institutions and feelings of control over water quality and environmental problems. For the remaining two scales few significant correlations were found. The results support those who advocate localized information and involvement campaigns on drinking water quality issues.

This paper examines the results of spatial (microgeographical) water contact/schistosomiasis studies in two African (Egyptian and Kenyan) and one Brazilian communities. All three studies used traditional cartographic and statistical methods but one of them employed also GIS (geographical information systems) tools. The advantage of GIS and their potential role in schistosomiasis control are briefly described. The three cases revealed considerable variation in the spatial distribution of water contact, transmission parameters and infection levels at the household and individual levels. All studies showed considerable variation in the prevalence and intensity of infection between households. They also show a variable influence of distance on water contact behavior associated with type of activity, age, sex, socioeconomic level, perception of water quality, season and availability of water in the home. Water contact behavior and schistosomiasis were evaluated in the Brazilian village of Nova União within the context of water sharing between household and age/sex groups. Recommendations are made for further spatial studies on the transmission and control of schistosomiasis.

Access to safe drinking water is essential for public health. In Colombia, Resolution 2115 of 2007 mandates the use of the Water Quality Risk Index for Human Consumption (IRCA) to classify risk levels. However, a significant gap exists between objective IRCA measurements and public perception, which unfolds in the context of water injustice. This study examines the factors influencing perceptions of water quality in regions with high levels of water contamination. Based on a sample of 37,028 household heads from the 2022 Quality of Life Survey by DANE, the study applied advanced machine learning techniques, including logistic regressions with Lasso regularization and double machine learning, combining random forests and logit models. The analysis included sociodemographic factors, environmental awareness, and the environmental conditions experienced by respondents. Findings confirm the presence of water injustice in Colombia, highlighting a significant disconnect between IRCA scores and public perceptions. Additionally, perceptions of water quality are strongly influenced by visible environmental problems, such as air pollution, bad odors, and litter, suggesting that people tend to focus on more evident issues while overlooking water contamination. The results of this study highlight the need to implement policies that inform Colombians about the quality of the water they consume, in order to promote greater environmental commitment.

Bottled water like any drinking water used for human consumption should be safe and of standard quality to ensure adequate public health significance.But, the quality of bottled water used for human consumption is not subjected to any stringent quality control measure in Egypt.People buy bottled water for a variety of reasons, including convenience, fashion, and taste or because they think it is safer than tap water.The taste of the water has to do with the way it is treated and the quality of its source, including its natural mineral content.However, taste does not always indicate safeness.The samples were collected by random sampling technique.To asses the quality of bottled water in Al-Qalyubia, Egypt.The present study was carried out to determine the physicochemical, microbiological, sensory quality parameters and the concentration of heavy elements of six brands of bottled drinking water available in Al-Qalyubia and to compare with drinking water guidelines set by the WHO and the Egyptian Standard for bottled water(EOS).The results obtained showed that the physicochemical, microbiological and sensory parameters as well as the concentration of heavy elements in almost all the bottled drinking water were below the permissible limit set by WHO and Egyptian Standard (EOS).Hence, all the tested bottled water samples are safe for drinking purpose..