Consumer confidence in drinking water

Research aims One of DWI’s core objectives is to protect and promote public confidence in the quality and safety of drinking water. Recent political, media and environmental pressures have highlighted the need for a robust evidence base to better understand what drives public perception in this space and what DWI’s role should be in communicating risk and assurance. This research will investigate the factors influencing consumer confidence in drinking water in England and Wales, and how DWI’s communications strategy might evolve to effectively support its statutory and non-statutory responsibilities. It will help answer questions such as: • What are the public’s current views on drinking water quality? • What drives or reduces trust in drinking water specifically, independent of broader industry issues? • What role can or should DWI play in informing, reassuring and correcting public narratives? Background Surveys by Ofwat and