Public Perceptions of Drinking Water from Private Supplies
Author Information
Author(s): Andria Q. Jones, Catherine E. Dewey, Kathryn Doré, Shannon E. Majowicz, Scott A. McEwen, David Waltner-Toews, Eric Mathews, Deborah J. Carr, Spencer J. Henson
Primary Institution: University of Guelph
Hypothesis
What are the public perceptions of private water supplies in Hamilton, Ontario?
Conclusion
Most respondents rated their water quality highly, but many had concerns about its safety, leading to extensive use of bottled water and treatment devices.
Supporting Evidence
- 71% of respondents used private wells for their water supply.
- 80% of respondents expressed concerns about the safety of their water.
- 56% of respondents used in-home treatment devices for their water.
- 61% of respondents reported drinking bottled water instead of their private supply.
Takeaway
People in Hamilton think their private water is good, but many are worried it might not be safe, so they often use bottled water or treat their water.
Methodology
A cross-sectional postal survey was conducted among 246 residences with private water supplies.
Potential Biases
Potential response bias due to ethical considerations in informing participants about the study's health-related focus.
Limitations
The study had a relatively low response rate of 54%, which may introduce selection bias.
Participant Demographics
The sample had a higher proportion of older individuals and more university graduates compared to the general population of Hamilton.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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