Water treatment is a common problem in the United States, but its prevalence is rising.
As more and more Americans are relying on tap water to keep them hydrated and healthy, some experts say the number of people who are affected could soon exceed 1 million.
But a study published Thursday in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives shows the extent to which the public is aware of the problem.
A sample of the study’s subjects was surveyed about their water use, the type of water they use, and how much they would like to be able to flush their tap.
The answers showed that about 30 percent of the respondents were aware of tap water contamination.
That’s more than twice the number who were unaware of the issue.
The survey also found that many of the people surveyed had limited knowledge about water treatment.
Only about 1 percent of respondents had a water quality assessment completed and had a report of water contamination, according to the study.
While it’s a good start, more needs to be done, said study author Dr. Susan B. Kinser, a professor of epidemiology and public health at the University of California, San Francisco.
The study also showed that those who were more educated about the water quality issue were less likely to be aware of contamination.
The report found that more than 90 percent of those who had water tested had reported they had tested positive for a potentially harmful bacterium.
“We’re talking about more than one out of every six people in the country,” said Kinsar.
“So, it’s definitely a concern.”
The study was conducted by the University at Buffalo’s Environmental Health Institute and was funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
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