Risk factors associated with perceptions of drinking water quality in rural Saskatchewan

A cross-sectional study used anonymous postal questionnaires to investigate risk factors associated with perceptions of water quality and risk from drinking water in rural Saskatchewan. From the 7500 questionnaires mailed out, the 2065 returned responses were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models. Reporting a drinking water advisory significantly increased the likelihood of any aesthetic complaint with tap water. Using truck-delivered water, being older, being male and living in an area for more than 10 years significantly decreased the likelihood of an aesthetic complaint. Having an aesthetic complaint significantly increased the likelihood of believing that tap water is not safe to drink. However, using a community water supply decreased this likelihood. Reporting a water advisory significantly increased the likelihood of believing tap water was not safe, but the magnitude of the effect was greater for those who used a ground water source than those who did not. Using a ground water source significantly decreased the likelihood of believing the tap water was not safe, but only for those who never had a water advisory.