Identifying the Factors Affecting Sensory Evaluation of Drinking Water and Assessing Its Social Impact Based on Drinking Water Consumption

Sensory issues have become the main obstacles to providing higher-quality drinking water. While sensory panels have identified certain compounds influencing sensory perception, the extent to which measured water quality impacts sensory evaluation at the population scale remains controversial, as does the social impact. In this study, an investigation was conducted across eight regions in China with wide variations in drinking water quality, and a novel integrated statistical approach was established. The findings revealed a quantitative relationship between sensory evaluation and measured water quality and that controlling total dissolved solids below 450 mg/L (the Chinese national standard of 1000 mg/L) can potentially improve sensory evaluation. Significant regional differences in water quality were also identified to guide further action. Given that many people have adopted water purifiers to reshape their drinking water consumption, it is further evidenced that improving pipeline facilities and reducing environmental pollution have a positive impact on sensory evaluation, which in turn enhances willingness to drink tap water (path coefficient = 0.361) and increases tap water consumption (OR = 1.217). These results quantitatively reveal the relationship between measured water quality and sensory evaluation and illustrate the impact of improving sensory quality on promoting eco-friendly drinking behavior and public confidence in water supplies.