Am J Health Promot

Purpose

We assessed public support for required water access in schools and parks and perceived safety and taste of water in these settings to inform efforts to increase access to and consumption of tap water.

Design

Cross-sectional survey of the U.S. public collected from August to November 2011.

Setting

Random-digit dialed telephone survey.

Subjects

Participants (n=1,218) aged 17 and older from 1,055 U.S. counties in 46 states.

Measures

Perceived safety and taste of water in schools and parks as well as support for required access to water in these settings.

Analysis

Survey-adjusted perceived safety and taste as well as support for required access were estimated.

Results

There was broad support for required access to water throughout the day in schools (96%) and parks (89%). Few participants believed water was unsafe in schools (10%) or parks (18%).

Conclusion

This study provides evidence of public support for efforts to increase access to drinking water in schools and parks and documents overall high levels of perceived taste and safety of water provided in these settings.

27698227

PMC5378665

Journal Article

CDC Public Access