Safe Water Is Rapidly Becoming a Private Good in the United States

In the United States, the public increasingly views water supplies and drinking water safety with suspicion. Negative perceptions of tap water safety may be particularly acute for some communities, especially among minorities or in lower-income populations. A 2023 systematic review of 33 peer-reviewed studies from the United States (1990−2023) on public views of tap water suggested a sustained trend of eroding trust. There are numerous drivers behind these trends, including greater awareness and focus on contaminants (e.g., lead and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)) and increasing concern among minoritized or low-income populations that disproportionately bear the burdens of poor infrastructure services. The trends are global, possibly reflecting broader changes, including reduced faith in institutions and public infrastructure, greater access to information about potential risks, and an erosion of government commitment to expanding water access to all who need it. Dissatisfaction with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic response may have accelerated distrust in institutions.