In February, the Value of Water Coalition released the results of a new national poll on public attitudes and concerns about water. The poll found that Americans are deeply concerned with the state of water infrastructure that we are all rely on. Respondents were evenly split (47/47 percent), initially, with their willingness to personally spend more on their water bills for increased investment in water systems. Once poll respondents received additional information about water issues, 60 percent of Americans were in favor of paying more to invest in water infrastructure-an increase of 13 percent.
“This is a critical time and important opportunity to have a conversation across the country about the importance of investing in our water systems. Being able to drink water straight from the tap and knowing that wastewater is safely and responsibly treated are top concerns for Americans. As a nation, we must prioritize investment in our water systems-to maintain high-quality water service today and for future generations,” said Radhika Fox, Director of the Value of Water Coalition and CEO of the US Water Alliance.
In light of the crisis in Flint, Michigan, 95 percent of respondents said it was important or very important for public officials to invest in water systems so other communities didn’t face what happened in Flint. The issues that resonated with Americans were clear: we’re all dependent on water infrastructure and we need to invest in it.