How water quality affects perceived risk of waterborne disease: evidence from Zapopan, Mexico

TL;DR

This study shows that people in Zapopan, Mexico, who notice a bad smell in tap water are more likely to see it as a health risk, highlighting the importance of addressing both real and perceived water quality issues.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel approach linking sensory perceptions of water quality to health risk perception using empirical data from a specific low- and middle-income region.

Findings

Households perceiving unpleasant tap water odor had 29% higher odds of identifying it as a health risk.

Perceived water quality is strongly associated with health risk perception, independent of socioeconomic factors.

Abstract

Access to safe and clean drinking water is a key determinant of public health and well-being. This study explores the relationship between perceived unpleasant odor of tap water (as a proxy of water quality) and perception of health risks from tap water, in low- and middle-income areas of Mexico, emphasizing the role of perceptions shaped by sensory indicators such as taste, color, and odor. The connection between perceived unpleasant odor of tap water and perceived risk warrants attention as a public health concern, given its potential to influence consumer behavior, risk exposure, and trust in health-related products and services.

The analysis draws on household survey data collected through face-to-face interviews in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, in October 2018, complemented with a review of existing literature. Statistical regression models were executed to assess the association between perceived water quality and perceived health risk from drinking tap water.

The analysis shows that households perceiving an unpleasant odor in tap water had 29% higher odds of identifying it as a health risk (OR = 1.29), controlling for socioeconomic and demographic conditions.

The findings underscore the need for public health interventions that address both actual and perceived water quality. Integrated water policies should prioritize equity, strengthen community trust, and incorporate engagement strategies to mitigate health risks linked to water insecurity.