What is the most common water complaint?

The most common water complaint is often related to objectionable taste and/or odor. This concern arises because drinking water is expected to be clean, fresh, and palatable. Unacceptable taste or smell can indicate potential issues with water quality or contamination, leading to consumer dissatisfaction and reluctance to consume the water. Taste and odor can be caused by a variety of factors, including the presence of organic materials, chemical contaminants, or even the natural characteristics of the source water.

While cloudiness, high mineral content, and temperature fluctuations can also lead to complaints, they are generally less frequently reported as the primary issue compared to the immediate perceptual impact that taste and odor have on the consumer's experience with their drinking water. The sensory perceptions related to taste and odor are often paramount in determining water quality from a consumer standpoint, making these complaints more significant in frequency.