The 1995 National
Consumer Water Quality Survey

Prepared by the Gary Siegel Organization for the Water Quality Association

December 7, 1995

Executive Summary

• One in five American adults is dissatisfied with the quality of his or her household drinking water.
• Fifty-four percent (54%) of consumers were concerned about possible health contaminants in their drinking water.
• Six in ten consumers expressed concern about the aesthetics of their household water. Nearly half expressed concern about the taste.
• Younger adults, adults with children under 18, and adults living in metropolitan areas are more likely to be concerned with the quality of their water than other respondents. They would also like more information on household water quality.
• Over a quarter of the adult population uses some type of home water treatment equipment, ranging from point-of-entry (POE) water softeners to table-top pitchers.
• A full 90% of those using home water treatment equipment are satisfied with their equipment; and half of those using this equipment are "very satisfied."
• One in five consumers (22%) purchases his or her home treatment equipment from a local water delivery company or a home improvement center. Smaller numbers buy from plumbers, department stores, and other outlets; or had purchased homes in which systems were already installed.
• Four out of ten adults believe federal laws governing the quality of drinking water are not strict enough; only 3% believe them to be too strict.

Purpose and Methodology

The 1995 National Consumer Water Quality Survey was commissioned by the WQA Public Relations Committee to better define the home water treatment industry for the public and media, and to support the marketing efforts of member companies.

The report presents the findings of a national telephone survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation of Princeton, NJ, between June 29 and July 2, 1995. A total of 1,018 adults over the age of 18 and living in private households were interviewed. ORC used a random sampling procedure, and survey results are accurate within +/- 3%. The results are representative of all U.S. adults over age 18. Eighty-one percent of those surveyed are on a municipal water supply, and 16% draw their water from a private well on their property.