Has COVID-19 Changed The Way We Think About Our Drinking Water?

According to the results of its third annual Water Quality Survey, Aquasana has uncovered that many Americans find themselves feeling differently about their drinking water thanks to COVID-19. As a way of celebrating National Water Quality Month, which was in August, the company sought to explore how the pandemic has impacted the way Americans think about their drinking water. The survey revealed some interesting things about COVID-19’s impact on drinking water concerns in the country.

Today, Office H2O will be discussing the findings of the Water Quality Survey. In doing so, we will focus our attention on what you should be considering about the quality of your drinking water going forward.

Drinking-Water Quality Concerns in the Age of COVID-19

Overall, the Water Quality Survey revealed that more Americans have found themselves concerned about the quality of their drinking water after spending more time at home in the last year. Out of the 2,413 American adults who were surveyed, 73% reported that they were at least somewhat concerned with the quality of the water delivered through the unfiltered taps in their homes. Thirty-six percent of those surveyed said that spending more time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic had increased their concerns about tap water quality.

In terms of specific concerns about the top water contaminants, the survey also found that there was a significant rise (up 26%) in the number of Americans who named cysts, bacteria, and viruses as their top water contaminant concern. It should be noted that these contaminants are now being named in chief concern by the majority of respondents, even over other harmful toxins such as pesticides, herbicides, and lead. Interestingly, awareness of “forever chemicals” (PFOS and PFOA) were also found to have increased over the last three years, having nearly doubled from the total in 2019.

What You Need to Know About Your Drinking Water and COVID-19

So, why has COVID-19 made such an impact on the way that we think about our drinking water, as evidenced by this recent survey? For one, spending more time at home has led to more people relying on their tap water on a daily basis. The more that we are expected to use our tap water in our everyday lives, the more concerned we’d find ourselves about its quality. It’s only human nature.

One of the most frequently asked questions on the EPA’s website concerning COVID-19 is whether or not it’s safe to drink tap water. According to the website, the EPA still recommends that Americans continue using and drinking their tap water as usual. The World Health Organization has stated that the “presence of the COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water supplies and based on current evidence the risk to water supplies is low.” Still, the recent Water Quality Survey shows that many Americans are thinking about drinking water differently due to the pandemic. So, what should you know if you have concerns about the quality of your drinking water?

In our article, “Coronavirus and Drinking Water: What You Need to Know”, we pointed out three main things that you should keep in mind during the pandemic. For one, you should know that tap water is still safe overall. Thankfully, COVID-19 is not making its way into the water supplied to your home. Secondly, it’s important to keep in mind that municipal water plants have procedures in place to keep your water as safe as possible despite the pandemic. However, it is still a good idea to disinfect faucets and avoid public drinking fountains to keep yourself as safe as possible.

The Water Quality Survey completed by Aquasana also pointed out that an estimated 74% of adults now use some method of filtration for the tap water in their homes. With concerns about drinking water quality being raised more frequently in the age of COVID-19, this seems like a natural progression. If you find yourself concerned, we would highly recommend researching the filtration technologies that prove most effective in reducing the presence of specific contaminants in your drinking water supply.

Nine-Step Filtration Technology for Greater Peace of Mind

Whether you’re looking for ways to reduce your use of bottled water or want a reliable filtration system that can give you greater peace of mind, Office H2O is here for you. Although the pandemic may have changed the way we think about drinking water, it’s always a good idea to be safe rather than sorry.

Our bottleless water systems provide access to clean, safe drinking water by utilizing a 9-step filtration process that eliminates harmful chemicals and materials from your water supply. Additionally, we now offer a touch-free bottleless water cooler because we know that sanitation is more important to you now than ever. Browse our selection of systems today and find the perfect one for your home or office!

Photo by Thomas Kinto on Unsplash