Assessing public awareness and knowledge of drinking water safety in Carmen, Cagayan De Oro City, Philippines

This study evaluates public awareness and knowledge of drinking water safety in Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. A survey conducted among 20 residents revealed that while most respondents trust the safety of their drinking water, awareness of water quality factors is low. Only 40% of respondents paid attention to local water quality. Satisfaction levels were high: 40% very satisfied, 55% somewhat satisfied, and 5% not happy with their drinking water. Many respondents expressed confidence in the safety of their drinking water and had few concerns. However, knowledge about factors affecting water quality was limited, with respondents identifying only 4.15 out of 20 factors on average. The top recognized factors included the treatment process (65%), color (60%), raw water type (60%), odor (50%), and taste (40%). Less recognized factors were total hardness, disinfection byproducts, inorganic matter, pH, and organic matter.