A cross-sectional survey using computer-assisted telephone interviewing was performed to assess the drinking water consumption patterns in a Canadian community, and to examine the associations between these patterns and various demographic characteristics. The median amount of water consumed daily was four 250 ml servings (1.0 l), although responses were highly variable (0 to 8.0 l). Bottled water consumption was common, and represented the primary source of drinking water for approximately 27% of respondents. Approximately 49% of households used water treatment devices to treat their tap water. The observed associations between some demographic characteristics and drinking water consumption patterns indicated potential differences in risk of exposure to waterborne hazards in the population. Our results lend support to the federal review of the bottled water regulations currently in progress in Canada. Additionally, they may lend support to a provincial/territorial government review of bottled water regulations, and both federal and provincial/territorial level reviews of the water treatment device industry. Further investigation of the use of alternative water sources and the perceptions of drinking water in Canada is also needed to better understand, and subsequently address, concerns among Canadians.
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Research Article|
March 01 2006
Drinking water consumption patterns of residents in a Canadian community
A. Q. Jones;
1Division of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, A1B 3V6
Tel: 709-777-8848; E-mail: [email protected]
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C. E. Dewey;
C. E. Dewey
2Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1
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K. Doré;
K. Doré
2Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1
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S. E. Majowicz;
S. E. Majowicz
2Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1
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S. A. McEwen;
S. A. McEwen
2Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1
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D. Waltner-Toews;
D. Waltner-Toews
2Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1
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K. Doré;
K. Doré
3Foodborne, Waterborne and Zoonotic Infections Division, Public Health Agency of Canada, 160 Research Lane, Suite 206, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 5B2
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S. E. Majowicz
S. E. Majowicz
3Foodborne, Waterborne and Zoonotic Infections Division, Public Health Agency of Canada, 160 Research Lane, Suite 206, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 5B2
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J Water Health (2006) 4 (1): 125–138.
Citation
A. Q. Jones, C. E. Dewey, K. Doré, S. E. Majowicz, S. A. McEwen, D. Waltner-Toews, K. Doré, S. E. Majowicz; Drinking water consumption patterns of residents in a Canadian community. J Water Health 1 March 2006; 4 (1): 125–138. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2006.0010
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