Determining Multilevel Drivers of Perceiving Undesirable Taste and Odor in Tap Water: Joint Modeling Approach
Publication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 147, Issue 3
Abstract
Aesthetic considerations of tap water do not necessarily indicate public health threats. If consumers notice the taste or odor of their tap water, however, they are likely to think differently of the water provider. The source of the problem is often nuisance chemicals, and although these chemicals can be measured, their detection is relative and may vary based on a person’s sociodemographics. This study aims to identify the sociodemographic and geographic parameters that influence users’ recognition of select tap water aesthetic issues. To do so, a bivariate binary probit model is used. Enabling this study is a household survey conducted in 2016 in Austin, Texas. Results indicate that the drivers of noticing odor and taste occur at the individual, household, and regional levels. By identifying factors that influence people’s perceptions of aesthetic considerations, water providers may develop outreach campaigns and make decisions that address the groups revealed in this analysis (e.g., users who pay their water bill). Additionally, this study demonstrates how joint modeling can be used to more accurately capture relationships in the water sector.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request (survey data).
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (Grant No. DGE-1610403).
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Published In
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 147 • Issue 3 • March 2021
Copyright
© 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 21, 2020
Accepted: Sep 8, 2020
Published online: Dec 26, 2020
Published in print: Mar 1, 2021
Discussion open until: May 26, 2021
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