Water Quality, Household Perceptions and Averting Behavior: Evidence from Nicaragua

2015 ◽  
Vol 01 (04) ◽  
pp. 1550011 ◽  
Author(s):  
William F. Vásquez ◽  
Pallab Mozumder ◽  
Dina Franceschi
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Bottled Water ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Quality Perceptions ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Instrumental Variable Probit ◽  
Water Treatments

We investigate household perceptions of water quality and associated averting behaviors using household survey data from León, Nicaragua. Seemingly unrelated instrumental variable probit models are estimated to take the potential endogeneity of water quality perceptions and the relationship between different averting behaviors into account. Survey results indicate that a large majority of households use tap water for drinking purposes. Less than 26% of sampled households implement in-home water treatments and about 33% of households consume bottled water. Results indicate that observed averting behaviors (i.e., consumption of bottled water and in-home water treatments), or lack thereof, are primarily driven by the perceived quality of tap water. Findings also indicate that perceptions of water quality are associated with service performance and assessment of water quality relative to peers. Policy implications are discussed.

scholarly journals Comparison of the physicochemical and microbiological quality of different brands of bottled water with well water in Lesotho using principal component analysis

Water SA ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (3 July) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khothalang E Molefe ◽  
Lineo Williams ◽  
Mosotho J George ◽  
Sissay B Mekbib
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Bottled Water ◽  
Nitrate Content ◽  
Well Water ◽  
Microbiological Analysis

Water, though vital for life, is also the route for transmission of water-borne diseases. Bottled water is consumed worldwide for its accessibility and the public perception of purity. However, this perception is usually not based on experimental results to confirm or invalidate it, especially where the sample commodity is not adequately tested for quality. In this study, different bottled water brands in Lesotho were compared to tap and well water samples sourced locally. The standard water testing methods were used to assess the physicochemical and microbiological quality of these samples. The physicochemical parameters such as hardness, alkalinity, pH, chloride, conductivity and nitrate content were below WHO acceptable limits for all water samples tested. Upon the employment of multivariate statistics, one of the bottled water samples (C) was completely indistinguishable from the two well water samples collected in the local village. On the other hand, microbiological analysis indicated that the water samples designated as C (bottle water brand), F (tap water), G (Ha-Mafefooane) and H (Roma community water) had a high microbial load and were contaminated with Escherichia coli, while A, B, D and E samples contained Staphylococcus spp. The presence of such indicator organisms suggests possible poor hygiene during processing. It is therefore recommended that stricter policy measures be taken to regularly monitor bottled water quality, before and after production and storage, to fulfil the basic water quality standards of WHO. Public awareness should also be created that bottled water may still be impure, despite appearing attractive and convenient.

Water, sanitation, and diarrhea incidence among children: evidence from Guatemala

Water Policy ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 932-945 ◽  
Author(s):  
William F. Vásquez ◽  
Anna-Maria Aksan
Keyword(s):  
Tap Water ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Regional Heterogeneity ◽  
Water And Sanitation ◽  
Diarrhea Incidence ◽  
Water And Sanitation Infrastructure ◽  
Water Treatments ◽  
Sanitation Infrastructure

Using household survey data for Guatemala, this paper investigates the role of water and sanitation infrastructure on diarrhea incidence in children. Hierarchical logit models of diarrhea incidence are estimated to account for potential regional heterogeneity of water and sanitation effects. Results indicate that the incidence probability of diarrhea is on average 20% lower in homes connected to a sewerage system. The effect of in-home access to tap water is weaker at 11% and subject to regional heterogeneity. Findings also indicate that consumption of bottled water reduces the incidence probability of diarrhea by 20–22%. In-home water treatments have no effect on incidence of diarrhea. Policy implications are discussed.

scholarly journals Assessment of Potable Water Quality in Baghdad City, Iraq

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 117862211773344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghassan Adham AL-Dulaimi ◽  
Mohammad Khairi Younes
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Bottled Water ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
World Health

Safe drinking water is crucial for the well-being of current and future generations. This study aims to evaluate the quality of potable water in Baghdad city. Furthermore, this study compares the quality of tap and bottled water. Baghdad city was divided into 4 districts based on the water source, and 40 water samples were collected from each district. Moreover, the most popular bottled water brands were sampled and compared with the tap water samples. The quality of the analyzed potable water samples varied based on the water source. The total dissolved solid (TDS) levels exceed the palatable (>600 ppm) water levels in some districts. In addition, the concentration of sulfate was relatively high in both tap and bottled water and ranged from 200 to 330 ppm. The bottled water quality was within the acceptable limits set by the World Health Organization, but the TDS levels were relatively high. The hardness, Cl−, Pb2+, and bacteria contents in both tap and bottled water were within the standard limits. Finally, it is important to conduct radiological analyses in the future to investigate the effect of wars on Iraqi water resources.

scholarly journals Survey of public attitiude towards bottled and tap water quality in the UAE

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 607-617 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Stated Preference ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Bottled Water ◽  
Storage Tanks ◽  
Survey Form ◽  
Tap Water Quality

<div> <p>The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the leading countries in the per capita bottled water consumption. This seems to be in controversy with adherences of local water authorities to stringent municipal water standards. A public survey (n= 891) was conducted to ascertain the perception of people in the country regarding bottled and tap water quality. The survey form was formulated based on the stated preference approach and was furnished in both Arabic and English languages. Some questions in the survey form require rating the quality of tap water and identifying the type of water the respondent drinks. For respondents who usually drink bottled water, they were asked to choose the reason(s) why they usually drink bottled water. Those who drink tap water more often were similarly asked to choose the reason(s) why they prefer tap water to bottled water. The study revealed that a large fraction of the UAE residents classify the quality of tap water as either good or excellent, yet many of them drink bottled water. This could be attributed in part to the high standard of living where the cost of bottled water is considered by the majority of the respondents as affordable. Other influential factors include the belief that bottled water has a better taste and concerns about tap water contamination. The latter may stem from the perception that water is not sufficiently treated or contamination is induced into the water from the distribution system or the in-house storage tanks. The study shows that more people in the UAE will drink tap water if relevant authorities provide information about tap water quality and if regular inspections and cleaning of the in-house storage tanks is conducted.</p> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p>

scholarly journals Tap Water, Bottled Water or In-Home Water Treatment Systems: Insights on Household Perceptions and Choices

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hug March ◽  
Xavier Garcia ◽  
Elena Domene ◽  
David Sauri
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Bottled Water ◽  
Home Treatment ◽  
Housing Tenure ◽  
Significant Variable ◽  
Single Family ◽  
Tap Water Quality

This article addresses household strategies for coping with perceived tap water quality issues. By using a household survey (n = 581) in Catalonia (Spain) and three models, this article analyses the drivers and motivations behind the installation of in-home water treatment systems, and the use of bottled water for drinking and cooking. The main explanatory factors of the higher consumption of bottled water were the perception of poor tap water quality, the lack of in-home treatment systems, and the presence of children at home. Income did not appear as a significant variable explaining the use of bottled water, unlike in other studies. The presence of in-home treatment systems is related to factors, such as perceived bad water quality, larger households, and single-family housing. Income and housing tenure appeared as explanatory variables only when considering systems requiring some kind of installation: lower incomes or renting a multi-family house reduce the probability of having an in-home water treatment that required installation because of important investments and operating costs, and the space needed in the housing units. In-house water treatment systems may become a solid alternative to bottled water when tap water raises problematic perceptions related to bad taste, odor, or lime presence.

scholarly journals Tap Water Quality: Seasonal User Surveys in Poland

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3841
Author(s):  
Józef Ober ◽  
Janusz Karwot
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
World Literature ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Subjective Perception ◽  
Quality Of Water ◽  
Profit Analysis ◽  
Tap Water Quality

Security of supply of water, which meets the quality parameters specified in applicable standards, is now the basis for the functioning of most societies. In addition to climatic, biological, chemical, and physical hazards, it is worth paying attention to consumers’ subjective perception of the quality of tap water supplied in the area of Poland. The article discusses various activities related to water resources management and analyses the results of an evaluation of selected quality parameters of tap water in Poland. A novelty on a European scale here is an examination of the evaluation of these parameters based on potential seasonal differences (spring, summer, autumn, winter). For the first time in the world literature, PROFIT analysis was used to evaluate selected parameters of tap water quality. The aim of the article was to present a model for the evaluation of the parameters of tap water supplied in different seasons of the year in Poland. Due to the complexity of the research aspects, a mixed-methods research procedure was used in which a literature review was combined with a survey and statistical analysis. For the purpose of the survey, an original survey questionnaire called “Survey of customer opinions on selected parameters of tap water supplied in Poland” was developed especially for this study. The conducted research confirmed the adopted hypothesis that the results of evaluation of selected tap water parameters vary depending on the period (spring, summer, autumn, winter) in Poland. The model developed by means of PROFIT analysis makes it possible to highlight to water suppliers the specific quality parameters in particular seasons of the year (spring, summer, autumn, winter), which may improve the quality of water supplied in Poland and thus, in the long-term perspective, increase the level of satisfaction of water recipients and confidence in drinking tap water in Poland.

scholarly journals Impacts of temperature alteration on the drinking water quality stored in plastic bottles

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelkader T. Ahmed ◽  
Mohammed Emad ◽  
Mohammed A. Bkary
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Bottled Water ◽  
Physiochemical Parameters ◽  
Heating Water ◽  
Long Time ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Concentration Levels

AbstractMany people prefer to drink bottled water instead off the tap water. The bottled water is stored in the plastic bottles sometimes for long time. These plastic bottles might leach out some harmful materials into the water especially when exposed to temperature alteration, which may affect human health. This research work focused on investigating the effect of changing temperature on the bottled water quality. The work studied the effect of heating water in plastic bottles by sun, oven, and microwave. The study included also the impact of cooling and freezing the bottled waters. Results showed that temperature alterations caused changes in some physicochemical properties of bottled waters such as decreasing the values of pH and TDS and increasing levels of fluoride and chloride. In addition, the concentration levels of some physiochemical parameters exceeded the permissible values for drinking water. With temperature alterations, all levels of heavy metals in bottled waters were minimal except some small concentrations of copper and zinc. Results confirmed also differences in behavior between the bottled water brands exposed to the same temperature alterations. Heating bottled waters above 50 °C is alarming problem on the water quality. This is because above this degree, many alternations were observed in the water content. The outcomes of this work are useful for improving the current legislation on bottled waters and their storage.

scholarly journals Degradation of Bacterial Water Quality in Drinking Water after Bottling

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-83
Author(s):  
Ali Shahryari ◽  
Charlotte D. Smith ◽  
Abolfazl Amini
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Heterotrophic Bacteria ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Bottled Water ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Biochemical Tests ◽  
Storage Duration

Background: The consumption of bottled water globally, including Iran, has increased tremendously in recent years. This study was designed to assess the bacteriological quality of bottled water and its compliance with the drinking water regulations. In addition, we evaluated bottled waters for the presence of a variety of genera of bacteria and the effect of storage duration on the extent of bacterial contamination. Methods: Four hundred samples of bottled water belonging to ten different Iranian brands with various production dates were purchased from supermarkets in Gorgan, Iran, from 2017 to 2018. Bacterial quality of bottled water was assessed using heterotrophic plate count (HPC) followed by usual biochemical tests for identification of bacterial genera, and by the API system. Results: The average HPC of bottled water was 9974 colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml). Twelve genera were isolated, among which Bacillus spp. and Escherichia coli were the most and least abundant, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that there was a positive association between water quality and storage duration so that the highest microbial load occurred within the first to third months after bottling. Furthermore, the highest rate of contamination was observed in May when ambient air temperatures commonly reached 40 °C. Conclusion: The bacterial quality of bottled water was not according to the standard of drinking water quality. This study demonstrated the variation in bacterial levels after bottling, which indicates the presence of waterborne heterotrophic bacteria, some of which can pose severe health risks to consumers.

scholarly journals An investigation of tap water quality in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 191-196
Author(s):  
HO Salah ◽  
IM Sujaul ◽  
Md Abdul Karim ◽  
MH Mohd Nasir ◽  
A Abdalmnam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Quality Standard ◽  
Total Coliform ◽  
Total Hardness ◽  
Aspergillus Aculeatus ◽  
Purpureocillium Lilacinum ◽  
Aspergillus Sp ◽  
Tap Water Quality

Assessment of the quality of tap water at Kuantan area of Pahang, Malaysia was investigated. The parameters analyzed were total coliform, Escherichia coli, pH, total hardness, sulfate, and selected heavy metal based on drinking water quality standard Malaysia and WHO. The results showed that the fungi in the tap water in Kuantan area in different concentrations were Aspergillus sp., Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Penicillium citrinum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Cerrena sp., Aspergillus aculeatus, A. flavus, Cryptococcus sp., Cladosporium perangustum, Purpureocillium lilacinum and Candida catenulata. The residual free chlorine varied from 0.05 to 1.97 mg/l.

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