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.
DENVER, July 30,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- 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).
"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."
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.
This poll was conducted between May 1-7,
2024, and it reflects a sample of 2,010 adults receiving
water from a public water supply. The interviews were conducted
online. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus
or minus 2 percentage points.
Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the
largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated
to managing and treating water, the world's most vital resource.
With approximately 50,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to
improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the
economy and enhance our quality of life.
Morning Consult is a global data intelligence company delivering
insights on what people think in real time. By surveying tens of
thousands across the globe every day, Morning Consult is unmatched
in scale and speed: It determines the true measure of what people
think and how their decisions impact business, politics and the
economy. Industry leaders rely on Morning Consult's proprietary
technology and analysis for real-time intelligence to transform
information into a competitive advantage.
Media Contact
Greg Kail, American Water Works
Association, 303-734-3410, gkail@awwa.org, www.awwa.org
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content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/consumers-trust-water-utilities-scientists-most-for-information-about-tap-water-302210015.html
SOURCE American Water Works Association