A national survey shows almost a third of Americans (28%) have experienced water contamination issues in the past two years, a slight increase from a prior poll. According to PR Newswire, the survey reveals how the deteriorating state of America’s aging infrastructure affects Americans’ drinking water attribute and habits.
"Everyone saw what happened in Flint," said Anders Jacobson, Bluewater president, in reference to Flint's lead contamination crisis. "It's important we recognize that what happened in Flint wasn't an anomaly - there are more than 3,000 U.S. communities found to have lead contamination levels higher than Flint, plus emerging instances of contamination from agricultural runoff, PFAS, microplastics, and nitrates."
According to PR Newswire, the survey also reveals more Americans are taking action to improve their water supply quality. Nearly 60% of respondents reported they are taking some kind of action to control what is in their drinking water.
Bluewater published its first water habits survey that revealed 33% of Americans drank more than five plastic water bottles per week, in Jan. 2018. One year later, that statistic dropped to 22%, suggesting that Americans are weaning off single-use plastic bottled water amidst growing awareness of plastic pollution and its threat to human and environmental health, according to PR Newswire.
One in five Americans reported that they now routinely carry reusable water canteens and hold a desire for public water refill stations, helping the environment and ensuring access to uncontaminated water.
"The 'easy' conveniences society afford us are polluting our bodies and our planet," Jacobson said to PR Newswire. "Bluewater's work around the globe and this survey show that individuals are searching for more sustainable, clean water pure water solutions. What will it take for the world's governments, corporations, and communities to do more collectively to stem the plastic waste stream and guarantee clean water for citizens?"
The study also found that 24% of respondents are concern lead and toxic metals are in their drinking water; 11% are concerned PFAS is contaminating their drinking water; and 9% rely on bottled water because their water supply is compromised, according to PR Newswire.
Despite the growing tide against single-use plastics, plastic bottled water dependency is still a major concern. According to the PR Newswire, the survey found more than one-quarter of respondents look to bottled water as a method to control the quality of their water supply.
