Public perceptions of drinking water: a postal survey of residents with private water supplies

Abstract

Background: In 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.

An investigation of bacteriological and chemical water quality and the barriers to private well water sampling in a Southwestern Ontario Community

“…The bacteriological sampling rate (slightly less than 25 per cent) in Waterloo region is consistent with rates reported elsewhere (Thompson 2003;Corkal et al 2004;Jones et al 2006). Furthermore, in 2005, 1,185 private wells were only sampled once for bacteria; 382 were sampled twice; 167 were sampled three times; and 201 were sampled more than three times.…”

“…As groundwater quality can change over time, these sampling rates are insufficient to prevent possible public health risks. As described by Jones et al (2006) private well owners noted the following barriers to more frequent well testing: inconvenience and time issues; no health problems or noticeable water changes; and, forgetfulness or procrastination.…”

“…These statistics illustrate the disparity between the Ontario recommendations for private well water sampling and the actual rate practiced in this community (and other communities across Ontario). doi: 10.2166/wh.2008.070 A postal survey of private well owners perceptions of their water quality in the nearby City of Hamilton, Ontario found that only 8% of respondents tested their private water supply for bacteria three times each year ( Jones et al 2006). As groundwater quality can change over time, these sampling rates are insufficient to prevent possible public health risks.…”

“Is it Safe?” Risk Perception and Drinking Water in a Vulnerable Population

“…The general risk literature has recently focused attention on specific environmental issues surrounding the determinants of perceptions of safe drinking water, both internationally (Doria, 2010;Doria, Pidgeon, & Hunter, 2009) and nationally (Dupont et al, 2010;Jones et al, 2005;Jones et al, 2006;Turgeon, Rodriguez, Thériault, & Levallois, 2004). However, specific analyses of special populations, such as vulnerable groups in Canada based on race and ethnicity, have not been carried out, particularly large-scale work.…”

“…More specifically, the determinants of perception pertaining to water risks and quality have been identified across many studies (Doria, 2010;Doria et al, 2005;Doria et al, 2009;Griffin & Dunwoody, 2000;Health Canada, 2012a;Jardine, Gibson, & Hrudey, 1999;Jones et al, 2006), and there are many, including degree of isolation, organoleptics (odours, flavour, colour), water chemicals and microbiological parameters, contextual indicators (state of the household, community, rivers, lakes), past negative health experiences, familiarity and prior experience, impersonal and interpersonal information (acquaintances, friends, family, water companies, media), trust in water companies and other groups, perceived control, demographics, cultural background, 4 The average household spends $250 to $400 per year for water services with a substantial increase over the last few decades in households making "defensive expenditures" on tap water substitutes, including bottled water and different filtration devices (Dupont, 2005). In particular, bottled water has been the focus of much attention given the large expenditures by consumers, with the costs of bottled water 240 to 10,000 times that of tap water (Ferrier, 2001;Olson, 1999).…”