The very report designed to build trust in tap water may be doing the opposite.
Kathryn Sorensen of the Water Health Advisory Council points to a growing body of research showing that EPA-mandated Consumer Confidence Reports—sent annually to millions of Americans—can actually lower confidence in drinking water safety.
The issue isn’t intent. It’s design.
These reports are rigidly structured, filled with technical language and long lists of chemicals. For most people, seeing those names—regardless of actual risk—triggers concern, not reassurance.
It’s a striking disconnect: a system built to inform the public may instead be fueling doubt.
The implication is bigger than communication. Public trust is directly tied to support for water systems, funding, and long-term investment.
Fixing that trust gap may start with rethinking how information is delivered—making it clearer, more intuitive, and grounded in how people actually perceive risk.
Episode at https://bit.ly/50YearsDrinkingWater
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