Perceptions of Tap Water Safety in United States Latinx Adults

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this investigation was to characterize the various factors that predict the perception that tap water is not safe in Latinx adults. METHODS: 489 Latinx adults (37.2% female, 28 ± 7 y) were recruited from the Phoenix, AZ area. Participants completed an Adapted Survey of Water Issues in Arizona, which evaluates awareness, aptitudes, attitudes, and action toward water quality. They also completed household water security experience-based scales (i.e., water access, water quality and acceptability, and water distress) developed for low-income peri-urban and rural communities on the US-Mexico border. Binary logistic regression was conducted to determine odds ratios (OR) for the odds of Latinx adults perceiving their tap water to be unsafe. RESULTS: 251 (51.1%) participants perceive their tap water to be unsafe. The odds of perceiving tap water to be unsafe were greater for those who believe bottled water tastes and smells better than tap water (OR = 2.37), had hard water or mineral deposits (OR = 2.32) or unpleasant taste (OR = 2.50) in their tap water over the past year, receive water quality information from citizens environmental groups (OR = 2.64), consume bottled water as their primary drinking water source (OR = 2.74), or have a drinking water system separate from their water supply system (OR = 2.259; P < 0.05). The odds of an unsafe perception were lower for those who have a greater annual income (OR = 0.20), have changed their mind about environmental issues because of classes or presentations (OR = 0.34), or receive water quality information from government environmental agencies (OR = 0.33) or universities (OR = 0.41; P < 0.05). Perceptions were not influenced by sex, age, race, education, US nativity, previous bad experiences with tap water, perceptions of ground or surface water quality, or household water security. CONCLUSIONS: Perceptions of tap water safety in Latinx adults appear to be influenced by income, organoleptic perceptions, sources of information about water, and household sources of drinking water. These factors should be considered when designing interventions to improve water consumption and hydration status in Latinx adults. FUNDING SOURCES: This study was supported by the Graduate and Professional Student Association and the Graduate College at Arizona State University.