Testing the Waters: A Case Study of the Relationship Between Risk Perception and Water Consumption Habits in Trenton, NJ

Abstract

The quality of Americans’ drinking water has gained increased policy attention since the Flint Water Crisis. The health impacts of drinking unsafe tap water are serious, and the economic and environmental costs of avoiding tap water also are significant. This study investigates public perceptions of water quality through a survey administered to both national and Trenton, NJ samples, the latter of which is a case of an economically vulnerable community experiencing acute water issues with lead.

Surveys were conducted using SurveyMonkey’s national survey panels and via a targeted Facebook ad to Trenton residents. The survey assessed respondents’ typical drinking water behaviors, water information channels, trust in sources of information, feelings of being well-informed and concerned about water, misunderstandings of information about lead contamination, preferred steps for the government to take to mitigate water issues, and demographic measures. The two main dependent variables were respondents’ choices to drink from the tap or drink bottled water, while the three main independent variables of interest were trust in government, worry about the impacts of water on health, and misunderstandings about water contamination.

The results of this study showed that trust in government was negatively and statistically significantly associated with drinking bottled water, and positively associated with drinking water from the tap. Expressing concern about the quality of the drinking water associated with increased bottled water and lowered tap water intake. On the other hand, misunderstanding key facts about the relationship between water color and water mitigation behaviors was not found to be related to behaviors, contributing to research that shows that factual information is not the most important component in determining behavioral outcomes, and that values, beliefs, and other influences play a role. Further, and consistent with the results of previous research, race and education level was associated with water drinking behaviors and attitudes with non-white residents reporting they are more likely to drink bottled water. Finally, being a resident of Trenton was associated with increased drinking of bottled water and avoidance of tap water.

In addition to establishing these relationships, the study also investigates what government mitigation actions respondents prefer, how well-informed they perceive themselves to be, and what information sources are most trusted in order to develop better communication and mitigation strategies for policymakers and other institutions. Together, results of this study lead to four main strategies that policymakers and water utilities can take to promote public health and better drinking water choices both nationally and in communities facing acute water crises. These strategies are reducing knowledge gaps, decreasing concern about water, fostering trust in the government, and engaging in appropriate mitigative behaviors.