The objectives of this project were (1) to measure consumer satisfaction with tap water quality, (2) to investigate demographic trends in consumer satisfaction and consumption of tap water alternatives, (3) to identify the factors that cause consumers to purchase and use bottled water and POU/POEs, and (4) to develop a list of recommendations for water utilities that can improve consumer satisfaction and help bridge gaps between perception and reality. The following are highlights from the research project: Consumption rate of tap water alternatives is highly dependent on geographic location (20% usage rate in the Midwest vs. 80% on the West Coast). Tap water drinkers are more satisfied (20% on average) than tap water alternative drinkers concerning various aspects of tap water (e.g., overall quality, taste, appearance, smell, safety, healthiness). Tap water quality had limited influence on consumer satisfaction. The highest level of correlation (between satisfaction and water quality) was found to have an R2 - value of 34%-64% for hardness and total dissolved solids. Safety was the primary motivator for filtered water drinkers. Bottled water drinkers were divided between taste, safety, and healthiness.

Over the past decade, per capita consumption of bottled water in the U.S. has more than doubled. With this increase have come several concerns in recent years about the safety, quality, and environmental impacts of bottled water. The FDA regulates bottled water as a food and is responsible for ensuring that domestic and imported bottled water is safe and truthfully labeled. This report: (1) evaluated the extent to which FDA regulates and ensures the quality and safety of bottled water; (2) evaluated the extent to which fed. and state authorities regulate the accuracy of labels and claims regarding the purity and source of bottled water; and (3) identified the environmental and other impacts of bottled water. Includes recommendations. Illustrations.

Over the past decade, the consumption of bottled water in the U.S. has more than doubled -- from 13 gall./person in 1997 to 29 gall./person in 2007. With this increase have come several concerns over bottled water's quality and safety. For ex., bottled water does not necessarily have lower levels of contamination than tap water. Several org. have raised concerns about a low recycling rate for plastic water bottles. This testimony addresses three issues: (1) the extent to which fed. and state authorities regulate the quality of bottled water to ensure its safety; (2) the extent to which fed. and state authorities regulate the accuracy of labels or claims re: the purity and source of bottled water; and (3) the environmental impacts of bottled water.