Water

ADB Water Survey

During the World Water Day, ADB conducted a household water survey designed to bring water issues closer to the homes of ADB staff. A random sample of 117 ADB staff took the survey.

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• ADB staff view their water supply in relatively good terms.
  1. 85% said their water supply is reliable-- 56% rated it 4 (the highest rate) while 29% rated it 3
  2. 76% also think their water supply is of relatively good quality--- 47% rated it fair (3) and 26% gave it a 4

• Despite the generally positive view on their water supply, an overwhelming 69% of respondents use bottled water in their homes, indicating a high level of mistrust of tap water.

• This mistrust or caution could account for the low incidence of ADB staff acquiring waterborne illnesses in the past 24 months (only 11%).
  1. Of these 11%, 90% suspect that they acquired the disease within their country of residence.
  2. Those who got sick noticed a significant change in their behavior towards drinking water. Many say that they no longer drink tap water, and they’re more careful about using ice, and ordering food and drinks.

• More than half (54%) think their water costs are fair, but 34% think them expensive.

• In addition to drinking, cooking, bathing, and laundry, 49% say they also use water for gardening, and 45% said they use it for washing cars. A small percentage (6%) uses the water for their swimming pools.