Prevention Research Center on Nutrition and Physical Activity

STUDY: Perceptions of Water Safety and Tap Water Taste and Their Associations With Beverage Intake Among U.S. Adults

Woman pouring water into a glass, holding her toddler son in her arms in the kitchen.A new study examines differences in perceptions of tap water and bottled water safety and tap water taste and their associations with plain water and sugar-sweetened beverage intake.

Abstract

Objectives
Examine differences in perceptions of tap water (TW) and bottled water (BW) safety and TW taste and their associations with plain water (PW) and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake.

Design
Quantitative, cross-sectional study.

Setting
United States.

Subjects
4,041 U.S. adults (≥18 years) in the 2018 SummerStyles survey data.

Measures
Outcomes were intake of TW, BW, PW (tap and bottled water), and SSB. Exposures were perceptions of TW and BW safety and TW taste (disagree, neutral, or agree). Covariates included sociodemographics.

Analysis
We used chi-square analysis to examine sociodemographic differences in perceptions and multivariable logistic regressions to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for consuming TW ≤ 1 cup/day, BW > 1 cup/day, PW ≤ 3 cups/day, and SSB ≥ 1 time/day by water perceptions.

Results
One in 7 (15.1%) of adults did not think their home TW was safe to drink, 39.0% thought BW was safer than TW, and 25.9% did not think their local TW tasted good. Adults who did not think local TW was safe to drink had higher odds of drinking TW ≤ 1 cup/day (AOR = 3.12) and BW >1 cup/day (AOR = 2.69). Adults who thought BW was safer than TW had higher odds of drinking TW ≤1 cup/day (AOR = 2.38), BW > 1 cup/day (AOR = 5.80), and SSB ≥ 1 time/day (AOR = 1.39). Adults who did not think TW tasted good had higher odds of drinking TW ≤ 1 cup/day (AOR = 4.39) and BW > 1 cup/day (AOR = 2.91).

Conclusions
Negative perceptions of TW safety and taste and a belief BW is safer than TW were common and associated with low TW intake. Perceiving BW is safer than TW increased the likelihood of daily SSB intake. These findings can guide programs and services to support water quality to improve perceptions of TW safety and taste, which might increase TW intake and decrease SSB intake.

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Citation:

Park S, Onufrak S, Cradock A, Patel A, Hecht C, Blanck HM. Perceptions of water safety and tap water taste and their associations with beverage intake among U.S. adults. Am J Health Promot. First published online January 6, 2023. DOI: 10.1177/08901171221150093.