American Support for Investments in Water Infrastructure - Key Findings from a National Voter Survey Conducted March 15-21, 2021
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American Support for Investments
in Water Infrastructure
Key Findings from a National Voter Survey
Conducted March 15-21, 2021
1
Bipartisan Research Team
Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) – a national Democratic
opinion research firm with offices in Oakland, Los Angeles and Madison, Wisconsin
– has specialized in public policy oriented opinion research since 1981. The firm
has assisted hundreds of political campaigns at every level of the ballot – from
President to City Council – with opinion research and strategic guidance. FM3 also
provides research and strategic consulting to public agencies, businesses and
public interest organizations nationwide.
Dave Metz – FM3
New Bridge Strategy (NBS) – an opinion research firm that listens and creates
connections on behalf of public policy efforts and campaigns. The firm’s roots are
in Republican politics, having conducted research on behalf of dozens of GOP
candidates from City Council to the presidential level, and also assist coalitions
from across the political spectrum in crafting winning ballot measure campaigns,
public education initiatives, and legislative policy efforts. NBS helps our clients
bridge divides to create winning majorities.
Lori Weigel - NBS
As a bipartisan team, Dave and Lori have researched a wide range of issues over the past 15 years, in
particular on conservation-related initiatives and policies. Together, they have jointly conducted
research on behalf of political campaigns, businesses, not-for-profit organizations and public agencies
in 47 states and nationally.
2
Survey Specifics and Methodology
Dates March 15-21, 2021
Survey Type Dual-mode voter survey
Research Population Voters nationwide
Total Interviews 1,007
Margin of Sampling Error ±3.1% at the 95% Confidence Level
Contact Methods
Telephone Email
Calls Invitations
Data Collection Modes
Telephone Online
Interviews Survey
(Note: Not All Results Will Sum to 100% Due to Rounding)
3
Issue Context
4
Voters place a greater degree of trust in local
government than in state or
federal government.
How much of the time do you trust ____________ to do the right thing:
just about always, most the time, only some of the time, or never?
Always/
Always Most of the Time Some of the Time Never Don't Know Most of
the Time
The federal government in Washington 16% 53% 26% 19%
Your state government 28% 48% 19% 32%
Your local government 5% 36% 47% 10% 41%
Q1. 5Water supply and water quality are on par
with strengthening the economy and
eliminating COVID-19 as national priorities.
Ext. Impt. Very Impt. Smwt. Impt. Not Too Impt. Don't Know Ext./Very
Impt.
Ensuring a reliable supply of water 50% 34% 12% 5% 83%
Strengthening the economy 35% 46% 16% 81%
^Addressing drinking water
contamination 40% 37% 17% 6% 77%
Eliminating COVID-19 49% 24% 17% 9% 73%
^Rebuilding America's infrastructure 28% 45% 23% 72%
Reforming our healthcare system 40% 30% 20% 10% 69%
Increasing the availability of high-
quality early childhood education 33% 35% 24% 7% 69%
^Reducing pollution in rivers, lakes,
and oceans 30% 37% 25% 7% 67%
Q2. Here are some issues that the federal government may address this year. Please tell me how important you think it is for them to
focus on each issue: extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not too important? ^Not Part of Split Sample 6Fewer than half view protecting
against sea level rise or addressing
drought as “very important.”
Ext. Impt. Very Impt. Smwt. Impt. Not Too Impt. Don't Know Ext./Very
Impt.
Ending America's opioid crisis 27% 39% 23% 9% 66%
Reducing soil contamination
from chemicals 27% 35% 29% 8% 61%
Ensuring a reliable global food supply 23% 34% 28% 12% 58%
Reducing illegal immigration 28% 28% 25% 18% 56%
^Addressing climate change 30% 22% 20% 24% 53%
Protecting against sea level rise 23% 24% 24% 24% 5% 47%
Increasing the minimum wage
to $15 per hour 16% 26% 19% 37% 42%
Addressing drought 13% 29% 35% 18% 5% 42%
Q2. Here are some issues that the federal government may address this year. Please tell me how important you think it is for them to
focus on each issue: extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not too important? ^Not Part of Split Sample 7Views on
Drinking Water
Quality and Infrastructure
8Drinking water sources have not changed
greatly since 2018.
Thinking about the water that you drink at home, do you most often drink_____?
2018 2020 2021
Unfiltered water straight from the tap 32% 27% 27%
Tap water that is filtered in your home,
either at the sink, through the 38% 40% 41%
refrigerator, or through a pitcher
*Bottled water 27% 28% NA
Bottled water purchased from a
vending machine or kiosk NA NA 3%
Bottled water from a grocery store,
convenience store, or NA NA 25%
delivery service
Other/Don’t know 3% 5% 3%
Q3. *Wording was slightly different in the 2018 & 2020 surveys. 9Nearly four in five say the water delivered to
their home is safe.
Overall, do you trust that the drinking water being delivered to your home is safe?
Strongly yes 52% Total
Yes
Somewhat yes 26% 78%
Somewhat no 4% Total
No
Strongly no 8% 12%
Don't know 10%
Q4. 10The consensus around drinking water safety
cuts across party and regional lines.
Demographic Group Total Yes Total No Don’t Know
All Voters 78% 12% 10%
Party
Democrats 78% 11% 11%
Independents 75% 19% 6%
Republicans 79% 11% 10%
Region
Northeast 75% 16% 8%
Midwest 78% 6% 16%
South 82% 13% 5%
South Central 76% 5% 19%
Central Plains 76% 9% 15%
Mountain 83% 13% 4%
West 80% 14% 7%
Q4. Overall, do you trust that the drinking water being delivered to your home is safe? 11White respondents tend to be more confident
in the safety of their water.
Demographic Group Total Yes Total No Don’t Know
Race/Ethnicity
Whites 82% 10% 8%
Latinos 79% 16% 4%
African Americans 73% 6% 21%
All Voters of Color 74% 14% 13%
Gender
Men 83% 12% 6%
Women 75% 12% 13%
Age
18-29 87% 8% 4%
30-39 81% 9% 10%
40-49 77% 14% 9%
50-64 73% 16% 11%
65-74 74% 12% 14%
75+ 81% 8% 11%
Q4. Overall, do you trust that the drinking water being delivered to your home is safe? 12Four in five trust that the water pipes in their
home are safe.
Overall, do you trust that the water pipes in your home are safe?
Strongly yes 57% Total
Yes
Somewhat yes 24% 80%
Somewhat no 6% Total
No
Strongly no 6% 12%
Don't know 8%
Q5. 13Residents of the South Central U.S. are not as
confident in their home’s pipe safety as are others.
Demographic Group Total Yes Total No Don’t Know
All Voters 80% 12% 8%
Party
Democrats 76% 15% 10%
Independents 78% 16% 6%
Republicans 86% 7% 7%
Region
Northeast 80% 15% 5%
Midwest 83% 6% 11%
South 85% 9% 6%
South Central 69% 15% 16%
Central Plains 91% 4% 5%
Mountain 80% 13% 7%
West 71% 19% 10%
Q5. Overall, do you trust that the water pipes in your home are safe? 14White respondents are more likely to say their
water pipes are safe than are others.
Demographic Group Total Yes Total No Don’t Know
Race/Ethnicity
Whites 84% 10% 6%
Latinos 76% 22% 3%
African Americans 71% 11% 18%
All Voters of Color 73% 17% 10%
Gender
Men 83% 12% 6%
Women 78% 12% 10%
Age
18-29 84% 13% 3%
30-39 81% 11% 8%
40-49 85% 8% 7%
50-64 75% 17% 8%
65-74 74% 12% 14%
75+ 82% 8% 10%
Q5. Overall, do you trust that the water pipes in your home are safe? 15Approximately one-quarter are concerned
about drinking water in their community.
How concerned are you about the Demographic Groups
Most Likely to be “Very Extremely/
drinking water quality in your local community? Very Concerned
Concerned”
All Voters 23%
Extremely Liberal Independents 44%
8% Extremely/
concerned African Americans 42%
Very
Very Concerned HH IncomeVoters feel very positively about their local
water infrastructure.
How would you rate the current condition of the
water infrastructure in your local community? Total Good Total Bad Don't Know
Democrats 79% 14% 7%
Very good 33% Total Independents 73% 20% 7%
Good
Somewhat good 46% 79% Republicans 81% 11% 7%
Northeast 77% 16% 6%
Somewhat bad 9% Total Midwest 79% 11% 11%
Bad
Very bad 4% South 78% 14% 8%
14%
South Central 81% 15%
Central Plains 86% 9% 6%
Don't know 7% Mountain 72% 22% 6%
West 82% 11% 7%
Q8. 17Perceptions of local water infrastructure have
remained positive over time.
Evaluation of
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Local Water Infrastructure
Very good 42% 44% 47% 42% 35% 33%
Somewhat good 44% 40% 37% 40% 43% 46%
Total Good 86% 84% 84% 83% 78% 79%
Somewhat bad 3% 8% 9% 9% 11% 9%
Very bad 10% 3% 4% 4% 3% 4%
Total Bad 13% 11% 13% 13% 15% 14%
Don’t know 1% 4% 3% 5% 7% 7%
Q8. How would you rate the current condition of the water infrastructure in your local community? 18Respondents are more divided when it came
to the nation’s water infrastructure.
How would you rate the current condition of Total Good Total Bad Don't Know
the nation’s water infrastructure?
Democrats 43% 41% 16%
Independents 43% 38% 19%
Very good 7% Total
Good Republicans 54% 26% 20%
Somewhat good 40% 47%
Northeast 43% 37% 20%
Somewhat bad 27% Total Midwest 45% 37% 17%
Bad South 50% 34% 16%
Very bad 8% 34%
South Central 57% 30% 13%
Central Plains 53% 24% 23%
Don't know 18% Mountain 41% 44% 15%
West 48% 32% 20%
Q7. 19Over time, positive perceptions of national
water infrastructure have declined while
uncertainty has grown.
Evaluation of
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
National Water Infrastructure
Very good 10% 8% 16% 10% 9% 7%
Somewhat good 49% 49% 40% 38% 40% 40%
Total Good 59% 57% 55% 49% 49% 47%
Somewhat bad 26% 21% 25% 27% 26% 27%
Very bad 8% 10% 11% 9% 11% 8%
Total Bad 34% 31% 36% 36% 37% 34%
Don’t know 7% 12% 9% 16% 14% 18%
Q7. How would you rate the current condition of the nation’s water infrastructure? 20Support for
Water Infrastructure
Investments
21The perceived importance of a water infrastructure
plan has remained consistent since 2019.
How important do you think it is for the President and Congress to develop a plan
(Half Sample: this year) to rebuild our water infrastructure that brings clean drinking water to
your home and removes and treats wastewater before safely returning it to the environment?
Ext. Impt. Very Impt. Smwt. Impt. Not Too Impt. Don’t Know Ext./Very
Impt.
2021 32% 31% 20% 15% 63%
2020 35% 30% 25% 8% 65%
2019 33% 34% 23% 9% 67%
2018 40% 38% 16% 5% 78%
Only 56% see it as very important for a plan to be developed “this year,”
likely reflecting the competing priorities voters currently hold.
Q10. Split Sample 22Overall support for increasing federal
investments remains high, but has decreased
slightly in the past year.
Some people have proposed increasing the federal investment in rebuilding our
water infrastructure ‐ including pipes, pumps, reservoirs, treatment plants, and
other facilities ‐ to ensure safe, reliable water service for all communities. Does this
sound like something you would support or oppose?
Strng. Supp. Smwt. Supp. Smwt. Opp. Strng. Opp. Don't Know Total Total
Supp. Opp.
2021 48% 29% 6% 7% 10% 78% 13%
2020 47% 37% 7% 6% 84% 10%
2019 52% 33% 6% 5% 85% 10%
2018 53% 35% 88% 8%
Q9. 23Seven out of ten support ensuring water and
wastewater agencies receive relief in proportion
to that of other infrastructure agencies.
Would you support or oppose ensuring that agencies that operate and maintain drinking water
and wastewater systems receive the same proportion of federal COVID-19 relief as agencies that
maintain other forms of infrastructure, like roads, airports, and other transportation systems?
Strongly support 43% Total
Support
Somewhat support 28% 71%
Somewhat oppose 7% Total
Oppose
Strongly oppose 9% 16%
Don't know 13%
Q11. 24Support for parity in infrastructure funding
cuts across gender and age groups.
Demographic Groups Total Support Total Oppose Don’t Know
All Voters 71% 16% 13%
Gender
Men 69% 20% 11%
Women 74% 12% 14%
Age
18-29 82% 11% 8%
30-39 75% 14% 11%
40-49 66% 18% 16%
50-64 69% 15% 15%
65-74 67% 21% 11%
75+ 74% 16% 10%
Q11. Would you support or oppose ensuring that agencies that operate and maintain drinking water and wastewater systems receive
the same proportion of federal COVID-19 relief as agencies that maintain other forms of infrastructure, like roads, airports, and other
transportation systems? 25Democrats are most supportive of ensuring
parity, although a majority of independents
and Republicans also support it.
Demographic Groups Total Support Total Oppose Don’t Know
Party
Democrats 85% 6% 9%
Independents 68% 17% 16%
Republicans 58% 26% 16%
Region
Northeast 73% 14% 13%
Midwest 72% 16% 12%
South 77% 12% 11%
South Central 78% 13% 9%
Central Plains 57% 22% 21%
Mountain 73% 21% 5%
West 63% 21% 16%
Q11. Would you support or oppose ensuring that agencies that operate and maintain drinking water and wastewater systems receive
the same proportion of federal COVID-19 relief as agencies that maintain other forms of infrastructure, like roads, airports, and other
transportation systems? 26Support for parity in infrastructure
spending is greater among voters of
color than among white voters.
Demographic Groups Total Support Total Oppose Don’t Know
Race/Ethnicity
Whites 68% 18% 14%
Latinos 86% 8% 6%
African Americans 84% 7% 9%
All Voters of Color 83% 9% 8%
Household IncomeMore specifically, three in five support a
$1.2 trillion upgrade to water and
wastewater systems.
Some people have proposed we begin a decades-long project to update our
nation’s drinking water and wastewater systems. The cost would be approximately
$1.2 trillion over 25 years. Funding would come from a mix of private or public
sources, including federal, state, and local sources – some of which could
ultimately be paid by ratepayers. Would you support or oppose such a proposal?
Strongly support 31% Total
Support
Somewhat support 31% 62%
Somewhat oppose 10% Total
Oppose
Strongly oppose 17% 27%
Don't know 11%
Q12. 28Support for the plan is greatest among voters
under age 30.
Demographic Groups Total Support Total Oppose Don’t Know
All Voters 62% 27% 11%
Gender
Men 59% 32% 9%
Women 65% 22% 13%
Age
18-29 78% 17% 5%
30-39 68% 24% 8%
40-49 54% 30% 15%
50-64 62% 26% 12%
65-74 58% 31% 11%
75+ 58% 27% 15%
Q12. Some people have proposed we begin a decades-long project to update our nation’s drinking water and wastewater systems. The
cost would be approximately $1.2 trillion over 25 years. Funding would come from a mix of private or public sources, including federal,
state, and local sources – some of which could ultimately be paid by ratepayers. Would you support or oppose such a proposal? 29Democrats are strongly supportive while
Republicans are evenly divided.
Demographic Groups Total Support Total Oppose Don’t Know
Party
Democrats 83% 9% 8%
Independents 56% 28% 16%
Republicans 43% 45% 12%
Region
Northeast 64% 23% 14%
Midwest 64% 30% 6%
South 63% 22% 15%
South Central 68% 20% 12%
Central Plains 43% 42% 15%
Mountain 70% 23% 7%
West 61% 35% 5%
Q12. Some people have proposed we begin a decades-long project to update our nation’s drinking water and wastewater systems. The
cost would be approximately $1.2 trillion over 25 years. Funding would come from a mix of private or public sources, including federal,
state, and local sources – some of which could ultimately be paid by ratepayers. Would you support or oppose such a proposal? 30Voters of color and middle-income voters are
also very supportive.
Demographic Groups Total Support Total Oppose Don’t Know
Race/Ethnicity
Whites 60% 28% 12%
Latinos 70% 17% 12%
African Americans 75% 18% 6%
All Voters of Color 71% 21% 8%
Household IncomeAdditional Background Provided
Water systems in many communities across the United States are
aging and in need of repair. The American Society of Civil Engineers
gives our water and wastewater infrastructure a “D” grade. Our
current infrastructure cannot withstand storms, wildfires, and more
extreme and unpredictable weather caused by climate change. By
investing in updates to this infrastructure, we can prepare water
and wastewater systems for future flooding and changing weather
before they occur, and prevent damage to communities.
Q13. Having heard this, let me ask you again: do you think you would support or oppose $1.2 trillion investment to update our nation’s
water and wastewater systems? 32Support intensifies as voters learn more
about the plan.
Initial Support After Information
Strongly support 31% Total 44% Total
Support Support
Somewhat support 31% 62% 26% 69%
Somewhat oppose 10% Total 9% Total
Oppose Oppose
Strongly oppose 17% 27% 13% 22%
Don't know 11% 8%
Q12. Some people have proposed we begin a decades-long project to update our nation’s drinking water and wastewater systems. The
cost would be approximately $1.2 trillion over 25 years. Funding would come from a mix of private or public sources, including federal,
state, and local sources – some of which could ultimately be paid by ratepayers. Would you support or oppose such a proposal?
Q13. Having heard this, let me ask you again: do you think you would support or oppose $1.2 trillion investment to update our nation’s
water and wastewater systems? 33Those most likely to move to support the
proposal after learning more skew older,
female, and more conservative.
Become More Positive Movers
Supportive After
10% of Electorate
Information
Central Plains Region
West North Central Census Division
Independent Women
Ages 75+
HH IncomeAttitudes Towards Local Water
and Wastewater Service
35Voters are highly satisfied with their water
and wastewater service.
Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with your water
and wastewater and stormwater service? Very Sat. Smwt. Sat. Total Dissat. Don't Know
Northeast 42% 44% 8% 5%
Very Midwest 46% 33% 16% 5%
satisfied
46% Total
Satisfied South 47% 38% 9% 5%
Somewhat
39% 85% South Central
satisfied 47% 43% 6%
Central Plains 48% 39% 5% 8%
Somewhat Mountain 57% 23% 12% 7%
6% Total
dissatisfied West 46% 40% 11%
Dissatisfied
Very
4% 10%
dissatisfied
Big City 34% 53% 12%
Suburban Area 54% 34% 9%
Don't know 5% Small Town 49% 35% 11% 6%
Rural Area 46% 36% 8% 10%
Q14. 36Low water pressure, closed waterfronts and water
main breaks are the most common problems
encountered, but are infrequent.
Here is a list of problems people have experienced related to water, wastewater and stormwater service.
Please tell me how often you or your community have experienced it: frequently, occasionally, rarely, or never.
Freq./
Frequently Occasionally Rarely Never Don't Know Occas.
Low water pressure 8% 17% 27% 46% 25%
Waterfronts or beaches closed due to 24%
water pollution or algae blooms 5% 19% 23% 42% 12%
Water main breaks 2021 5% 17% 32% 42% 22%
2018 7% 23% 30% 38% 30%
Bad tasting or foul-smelling tap water 8% 13% 23% 54% 21%
2021 5%9% 25% 57% 14%
Sewage backups or overflows
2018 6% 15% 30% 47% 21%
Dirty or cloudy tap water 12% 25% 56% 16%
Q16. Here is a list of problems people have experienced related to water, wastewater and stormwater service. Please tell me how often
you or your community have experienced it: frequently, occasionally, rarely, or never. 37Most voters view their water and
wastewater service as affordable.
Do you think what you pay currently for water and
wastewater service is affordable or unaffordable?
Very Aff. Smwt. Aff. Smwt. Unaff. Very Unaff. Don't Know Total Total
Aff. Unaff.
2021 30% 43% 9% 14% 73% 13%
2020 35% 41% 12% 5% 8% 76% 17%
2019 42% 38% 9% 5% 7% 80% 14%
2018 42% 39% 8% 5% 6% 80% 13%
Q15. 38Those living in rural areas are less likely than
others to say their service is affordable.
Demographic Groups Total Affordable Total Unaffordable Don’t Know
All Voters 73% 13% 14%
Area
Big City 71% 15% 14%
Suburban Area 75% 12% 13%
Small Town 80% 11% 9%
Rural Area 61% 15% 25%
Party
Democrats 72% 12% 17%
Independents 71% 17% 11%
Republicans 75% 13% 12%
Q15. Do you think what you pay currently for water and wastewater service is affordable or unaffordable? 39Lower-income voters are less likely to view service
as affordable than are higher-income ones.
Demographic Groups Total Affordable Total Unaffordable Don’t Know
Household IncomeSlim majorities of voters are open to rate
increases for a wide variety of purposes.
Suppose your water, wastewater, and stormwater service provider increased rates by a
modest amount to pay for infrastructure that would _______________.
Would you be willing or unwilling to pay this rate increase?
Very Will. Smwt. Will. Smwt. Unwill. Very Unwill. Don't Know Total Total
Will. Unwill.
Make your area’s drinking water
safer and healthier 25% 34% 12% 17% 13% 58% 29%
Reduce pollution and make local
streams and rivers cleaner 26% 28% 15% 20% 11% 54% 35%
Ensure that everyone in your
community has basic water and
sewer service, and to prevent 27% 26% 11% 24% 12% 52% 35%
shut-offs for non-payment
Make your area’s drinking water
taste and smell better 24% 27% 15% 23% 11% 51% 38%
Q17, Q18, Q19 & Q20. Split Sample 41Scale matters; more than three in five are
willing to pay as much as $50 more per year.
Would you be willing to pay an additional _________ on your water
bills if it were dedicated to fund the projects I just described?
Total Willing Total Unwilling
$50 per year 61% 32%
$40 per year 62% 31%
$30 per year 67% 27%
$20 per year 72% 22%
Q21. 42Conclusions
Conclusions
✓ Relative to other issues facing the federal government, voters place very high priority
on ensuring a reliable water supply and on addressing drinking water contamination.
✓ Only about half of voters are confident in the condition of the nation’s water
infrastructure, though they feel more positive about the condition of water
infrastructure at the local level.
✓ Seven in ten think water agencies should receive the same proportion of federal
COVID relief that other infrastructure agencies do.
✓ More specifically, over three-quarters back a national water infrastructure investment
proposal, and three in five support it when the $1.2 trillion price tag is included.
✓ As voters learn more about the proposal, support grows to two-thirds, with
persuadable voters tending to be from the Central U.S. and over age 75.
✓ As in the past, voters are highly satisfied with their water, wastewater and stormwater
service, view it as affordable, and trust that the water delivered to their home is safe.
✓ Majorities are willing to pay rate increases to fund four different types of service
improvements, with the greatest support for improving the quality of drinking water.
✓ More than three in five are willing to pay as much as $50 more per year to support
these improvements.
44Questions?
Email: Katie Henderson, khenderson@uswateralliance.org
Value of Water Campaign, Senior Program Manager
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