A Sutdy on Consumers Attitude Towards Water Purifier
ILLINOIS STATE WATER SURVEY LIBRARY COPY
MAR 3 0 1988
ISWS/CIR-158/83
Circular 158
STATE OF ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Consumer Attitudes Toward Public Water Supply Quality: Dissatisfaction and Alternative Water Sources by LYNN L. CURRY Southern Illinois University
ILLINOIS STATE WATER SURVEY CHAMPAIGN 1983
PREFACE
Public awareness of the quality of the environment and of the safety of public water supplies are related issues which have rarely received the attention that they deserve. The media infrequently treat the extent of scientific or public understanding of these issues directly, except as they relate to crisis situations. Selective coverage has resulted in an unbalanced public view of real versus perceived concerns as to the safety and quality of public water supplies. This report seeks to document the basis for public dissatisfaction with public water supplies and specific reasons for the purchase of alternative drinking water sources. The study clearly demonstrates the need for improved consumer awareness of the objectives, competency, and limits of operations of water purveyors. The fact that we generally enjoy inexpensive, high quality water supplies for a variety of uses must be effectively brought to public attention. In this way, real concerns and future problems can be faced on a more reasoned basis by all concerned.
Michael J. Barcelona Head, Aquatic Chemistry Section State Water Survey Division Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources October 1983
CONTENTS Page Abstract Introduction .... Rationale for consumer dissatisfaction with drinking water quality and for the purchase of alternatives Health concerns Aesthetic preferences Consumer distrust Fashionability Expansion of the bottled water and home filter industries . . . Plan of the report Acknowledgements Background Consumer perception of drinking water quality Current topics relative to drinking water quality Chlorination and
MAR 3 0 1988
ISWS/CIR-158/83
Circular 158
STATE OF ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Consumer Attitudes Toward Public Water Supply Quality: Dissatisfaction and Alternative Water Sources by LYNN L. CURRY Southern Illinois University
ILLINOIS STATE WATER SURVEY CHAMPAIGN 1983
PREFACE
Public awareness of the quality of the environment and of the safety of public water supplies are related issues which have rarely received the attention that they deserve. The media infrequently treat the extent of scientific or public understanding of these issues directly, except as they relate to crisis situations. Selective coverage has resulted in an unbalanced public view of real versus perceived concerns as to the safety and quality of public water supplies. This report seeks to document the basis for public dissatisfaction with public water supplies and specific reasons for the purchase of alternative drinking water sources. The study clearly demonstrates the need for improved consumer awareness of the objectives, competency, and limits of operations of water purveyors. The fact that we generally enjoy inexpensive, high quality water supplies for a variety of uses must be effectively brought to public attention. In this way, real concerns and future problems can be faced on a more reasoned basis by all concerned.
Michael J. Barcelona Head, Aquatic Chemistry Section State Water Survey Division Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources October 1983
CONTENTS Page Abstract Introduction .... Rationale for consumer dissatisfaction with drinking water quality and for the purchase of alternatives Health concerns Aesthetic preferences Consumer distrust Fashionability Expansion of the bottled water and home filter industries . . . Plan of the report Acknowledgements Background Consumer perception of drinking water quality Current topics relative to drinking water quality Chlorination and
Bibliography: 1 discovery was especially remarkable since the germ theory was proposed until the 1860s (Safe Drinking Water Committee, 1977).