Risk Perceptions Toward Drinking Water Quality Among Private Well Owners in Ireland: The Illusion of Control

Abstract

In rural areas where no public or group water schemes exist, groundwater is often the only source of drinking water and is extracted by drilling private wells. Typically, private well owners are responsible for the quality and testing of their own drinking water. Previous studies indicate that well owners tend to underestimate the risks of their well water being contaminated, yet little is known about why this is the case. We conducted a qualitative study by interviewing private well owners in Ireland to investigate their beliefs surrounding their water quality, which, in turn, inform their risk perceptions and their willingness to regularly test their water. Based on our findings we designed a theoretical model arguing that perceived control is central in the perceived contamination risks of well water. More specifically, we argue that well owners have the illusion of being in control over their water quality, which implies that people often perceive themselves to be more in control of a situation than they actually are. As a result, they tend to underestimate contamination risks, which subsequently impact negatively on water testing behaviors. Theoretical and practical implications are highlighted.

Private well stewardship within a rural, agricultural Latino community: a qualitative study

“…Emergent themes extended beyond the topic of testing and included other well stewardship behaviors, such as well maintenance and treatment. Participants in this predominantly Latino community reported behavioral factors that are commonly observed in other rural communities, corroborating existing literature on well stewardship [11][12][13][14][15][16]. Additionally, two themes emerged that have not been reported in well stewardship literature: landlords and neighbors and home repair experience.…”

“…Literature on the behavioral factors impacting well stewardship is extensive. Research shows that private well users are often satisfied with the quality of their well water and confident that it is safe to drink [11][12][13]. Many note its good taste, smell, and clarity [12,13] and may not see the need for testing and treatment due to low perceived risk of water contamination and related health effects [12].…”

"We are all here to learn": A qualitative study on private well stewardship within a rural, agricultural Latino community

“…They also described barriers related to landlords and neighbors, which have not been reported previously. Additionally, participants reported facilitators that have been observed in other communities, including concerns about (perceived risk of) water contamination, knowledge of agricultural sources of contamination, and a responsibility to protect family [13,14]. DIY home repair experience also emerged as a facilitator, which has been previously reported in well stewardship literature.…”

“…The responsibility to protect family and DIY home repair experience emerged as notable facilitators within the Spanish focus groups. Previous studies on well water testing have also observed that the obligation to protect vulnerable family members and the belief that testing is useful to protect family facilitates testing behavior [13,14]. Messages around the responsibility to protect family may be particularly resonant among Latino communities as family and a sense of collectivism are commonly noted as critical aspects of Latino culture [26].…”

“…Literature on the barriers and facilitators of well stewardship is extensive. Research shows that private well users are often satisfied with the quality of their well water and confident that it is safe to drink [11][12][13]. Many note its good taste, smell, and clarity [12,13] and may not see the need for testing and treatment due to low perceived risk of water contamination and related health effects [12].…”