Perceptions of Drinking Water and Safety: A Public Survey of U.S. Residents

ABSTRACT There is an increasing need for safe drinking water. Yet, public perceptions of drinking water providers are not always positive. Incidents like those in Flint, Michigan, and Jackson, Mississippi, contribute to mistrust and poor perceptions of public water providers. To better understand public perceptions, we conducted an exploratory survey with 1100 respondents using online Qualtrics panels, guided by five research questions. First, we explored public perceptions of drinking water safety. Most respondents used municipal water and generally trusted their source although many reported problems such as odd smells, tastes, or hardness. Second, we examined trust in entities involved in drinking water management. Water utilities were the most trusted, followed by local and state governments. Respondents also believed these groups were responsible for ensuring water safety. Third, we analyzed water problems respondents had experienced, which included odd tastes, smells, and hardness. Fourth, we identified concerns about contamination sources with pesticides, industrial chemicals, pathogens, and heavy metals ranking highest. Fifth, we explored sources of information, finding respondents relied primarily on water providers, social media, and word‐of‐mouth. Our findings emphasize the need for educational programs and transparent communication about drinking water safety, particularly targeting groups with higher distrust (e.g., women, non‐whites, renters).