Is tap water clean? Most people have doubts

Although tap water in many parts of the world meets strict quality standards, more than half of the world’s population does not trust its cleanliness. The latest study conducted by American scientists sheds light on this discrepancy, which could have serious public health implications. Experts and authorities are searching for ways to regain public trust.

Suspicious waterworks – personal experiences and concerns for the future

On August 25, a study was published in the Nature magazine by a team of scientists from Northwestern University and Chapel Hill in North Carolina. Representative groups of citizens from 141 countries were asked whether the water supplied to them was clean. One of the questions was whether the respondent knew someone who had suffered serious health issues in the past two years due to consuming water. Another question focused on the respondent’s personal assessment of the danger posed by drinking tap water.

It turned out that as many as 52.3% of the over 148,000 citizens surveyed believe that in the next two years, the water they consume will harm them. The greatest concerns for health were expressed by residents of Lebanon, Peru, and Gabon, while the least concerns came from citizens of Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. In terms of negative experiences, respondents from Zambia led the way – 54.3% of them had experienced health issues related to water quality in recent years.

To clarify, in Poland, only 2.23% of respondents believed that water from the tap had harmed them in the past two years. However, nearly one in three Poles expects a threat in the next two years.

Doubts about whether water is clean and safe are more frequent among women, urban residents, people experiencing financial difficulties, and those with higher education. It was also observed that a lack of trust in water quality is directly correlated with low GDP per capita and increased mortality due to water contamination in a given country. Surprisingly, the strongest correlation was between expected health damage and the national Corruption Perception Index. This explains why in Denmark, considered the least corrupt country in the world, only 11.4% of citizens expect a threat from public water supplies.

The power of perception and societal well-being

One could argue that the important factor is the actual quality of the water, not what society thinks about it. However, the authors of the study point out several risks associated with such concerns, even if they are not based on facts.

Firstly, people who do not trust the cleanliness and safety of tap water often opt to purchase bottled water. This not only strains household budgets but also contributes to the serious ecological problem of plastic waste. Additionally, sugary drinks frequently appear in shopping baskets, which are considered one of the main culprits behind the global obesity epidemic. These drinks are also associated with various lifestyle diseases, including tooth decay.

Concerns about water quality also increase stress levels and can contribute to the development of depression and a general weakening of mental health. An example of such a negative correlation is found among residents of Flint, Michigan, USA. In 2014, local authorities began sourcing water from the Flint River, which led to waterworks corrosion and the leakage of lead into drinking water. In 66% of local households, at least one family member experienced behavioral disorders, and 29% of residents reported symptoms of depression.

How to convince people that water is clean?

According to the study’s authors, rebuilding trust in water quality among society requires a series of active steps. One key action is transparent and open communication about the quality parameters of tap water. Previous analyses conducted in the Netherlands show that a lack of information is what drives people to purchase bottled water.

Another problem is the credibility of national and local politicians and institutions directly responsible for local water and sewage management. Broad system reforms, infrastructure investments, and information on aspects like gray water recycling or emergency plans for potential epidemics may help restore trust.

People are primarily afraid of contemporary threats – from climate change to the leakage of contaminants to military conflicts. Even if the water is clean today, everything could change tomorrow. And it’s this uncertainty that should be most on our minds.