Over half of the world's population fears harm from drinking water within two years, study reveals

By Priyanjana Pramanik, MSc.Reviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc.Aug 27 2024

Study: Self-reported anticipated harm from drinking water across 141 countries​​​​​​​. Image Credit: luchschenF / Shutterstock

Over half of adults in 141 countries fear harm from drinking water within the next two years, with perceptions influenced by gender, urbanization, financial hardship, education, and trust in public governance.

In a recent study published in the journal Nature Communications, researchers used survey data from the World Risk Poll to investigate perceptions of drinking water safety across 141 countries.

Their findings indicate that over half of the global population anticipates serious harm from drinking water within the next two years, highlighting the need for improved trust in water safety and governance to ensure sustainable water resource management.

Background

Water crises are a widespread issue that negatively impacts agriculture, the economy, regional stability, and human health. However, the effects of water quality on society and health are less understood.

Global organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) have identified this gap as a worldwide barrier to assessing water safety. Most decisions about water use are based on personal perceptions and experiences, as objective data on water safety is often lacking.

Even when water is considered "safely managed," it can still be contaminated during transportation or storage. Current global water indicators do not fully capture all risks, meaning people's perceptions of water safety can be just as important as the quality.

These perceptions influence behaviors like avoiding tap water and opting for bottled water, which can negatively affect health and sustainability. Understanding and measuring how people perceive water safety could help improve water management and ensure safer water for everyone.

About the study

The study aimed to understand the occurrence and drivers of perceived risks associated with drinking globally using data from a worldwide poll, including responses from over 154,000 participants.

Participants were asked whether they had experienced or anticipated harm from drinking water. The data was collected through phone and face-to-face interviews, ensuring representation across different regions. Ethical protocols were followed, and informed consent was obtained from all participants.

The study explored various factors influencing these perceptions, including country-level indicators like water quality, national income, and corruption levels and individual-level characteristics like gender, education, and household location.

Statistical models were used to assess the relationships between these factors and perceived drinking water risks. The researchers applied weights to the data to ensure national representativeness and conducted several analyses to identify the most significant predictors of perceived water safety concerns.

The study used robust statistical techniques to account for uncertainties and variations across countries, providing insights into how different factors influence people's perceptions of drinking water risks globally.

Findings

The study analyzed data from 141 countries to understand people's experiences and fears regarding drinking water safety.

Around 14.3% of respondents reported having experienced or knowing someone who experienced adverse effects after drinking water over the previous two years, with rates varying widely by country. Additionally, over half of the respondents (52.3%) anticipated that they would be harmed by drinking water over the following two years.

The study found that these concerns were not directly linked to the physical availability of water or its contamination levels but were influenced by other factors.

Key predictors of anticipated harm included past experiences of harm, the percentage of deaths attributed to unsafe water, national economic status, and the level of corruption in public governance. Higher perceived corruption was strongly associated with a greater fear of future harm due to drinking water.

Individual factors such as gender, income, education level, and urban versus rural residence also played a role, with women, urban residents, those struggling financially, and more educated individuals generally reporting higher concerns about water safety.

These findings highlight the complex interplay of factors that influence public perceptions of water safety globally.

Conclusions

The study found that over half of the global population anticipates harm associated with drinking water over the next two years, revealing a widespread concern that does not always align with actual water quality or income levels.

Past experiences, public sector corruption, and trust in government institutions influence these perceptions. The study highlights the importance of addressing these concerns to improve public trust in water safety.

The study's strength lies in its large, diverse sample, offering insights into global water-related anxieties. However, the reliance on self-reported data and the inability to capture long-term trends are significant limitations. Additionally, perceptions of harm may be influenced by factors unrelated to water, such as air pollution.

Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to track changes in perceptions and investigate the influence of private sector corruption on water safety concerns.

Tailored interventions addressing specific demographic needs, such as improving transparency, ensuring equitable access to safe water, and building trust in water services, are essential for promoting global water security.