Taking Responsibility for Water Quality.

• Position: DRINKING WATER

Emerging from the coronavirus pandemic, Americans are more positive about their household drinking water quality, less likely to depend on government oversight, and increasingly ready to spend money on home water treatment, according to a national survey of consumer opinions released by the Water Quality Association, Lisle, II

"The study shows that consumers recognize they have a part in providing their home with safe drinking water, whereas in the past most thought it was solely the responsibility of a third-party such as a public water supplier," says Executive Director Pauli Undesser. "With post-pandemic economic growth expected, people are spending more on home improvements, which include water filtration systems."

Some 31 % of respondents think Federal laws on drinking water are not tough enough, a decrease from the 49% holding that opinion in 2019. Half of U.S. households report they rely on home treatment systems (32%) or bottled water (18%) for quality drinking water in their homes. Forty-six percent have a refrigerator with a filtered drinking water dispenser, and 22% have a whole-house filter system.

Although still significant, bottled water usage has trended down in the last two years. Seventy...