Understanding Public Awareness and Decision-Making on Using Water Treatment Devices

Water Purification Systems, Water Quality Testing
4February
Courtney Cooper

Insights from an independent, WQRF survey of U.S. households

When it comes to drinking water, today’s concerns go far beyond taste and odor. New and emerging contaminants are becoming part of everyday conversations—shaping what people worry about, what they trust, and whether they decide to use water treatment devices at home.

A recent independent, online survey of households across the United States helps paint a clear picture of public awareness and decision-making around point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE) water treatment devices. Here’s what the data reveals—and how UDI customers can use these insights to make informed choices for their homes.

Want to Explore the Full Study? Visit: wqrf.org/completed-studies

The Top 5 Emerging Contaminants People Are Most Aware Of

According to the WQRF survey, the five emerging contaminants that respondents recognized most often were:

  1. Pesticides and herbicides

  2. Pharmaceuticals

  3. Microplastics

  4. Personal care products

  5. PFAS (often called “forever chemicals”)

This list tells an important story: many people are thinking about contaminants tied to modern lifestyles, including chemicals used in agriculture, medicine, packaging, and personal products.

If you’re seeking more information, please visit UDI’s Resource section to find helpful blog articles about local water quality concerns and answers to FAQs.

Where People Learn About Water Contaminants: Top 5 Sources of Awareness

The survey also explored how people are learning about these issues. The most common sources were:

  1. Internet / websites

  2. Local news TV channels

  3. Local government announcements

  4. Social media

  5. Local newspapers

This mix shows that water awareness isn’t driven by just one channel. People are learning about water contaminants through both digital platforms and trusted local sources, especially when concerns feel close to home.

At UDI, our only business is clean, healthy water.  Since 1979, we have installed over 75,000 water systems throughout our service area in Florida and Georgia. Homeowners within our service area can call 1-800-741-4426 or submit a contact form on our website to request a free water test from UDI.

How Likely Are People to Use POU or POE Water Treatment?

When respondents were asked about their likelihood of using water treatment devices (POU/POE), results were divided into four main groups:

  • Already use POU/POE: 15%

  • Very likely / likely to use: 30%

  • Unsure: 33%

  • Not likely / very unlikely: 22%

What this tells us:

  • Nearly half the public is either already treating their water or open to it (45% combined).

  • But the biggest group is the one in the middle: one-third are unsure.

That “unsure” group represents the biggest opportunity—not for pressure, but for clear information, relatable education, and trustworthy guidance from a reputable water treatment company.

What This Means for UDI Customers

At UDI, we know that choosing a home water treatment solution is a personal decision. This survey reinforces something we hear all the time: People want water they can trust—but they also want information they can trust.

Whether you’re:

  • thinking about adding filtration at the kitchen sink (ULTRA-6 RO System),

  • considering whole-home treatment (Hydro-5 STS),

  • or simply trying to understand what’s in your water…

…the best next step is learning from credible sources and matching solutions to your needs.