Trust determines whether people drink tap water. Dr. Elena Berg and political scientist Dr. Jale Tosun examine why people accept or avoid the tap even when drinking water quality meets established standards. Using Flint and other American water failures as context, the episode explains how race, class, socialization, health beliefs, taste, and lived experience shape public perception and water safety concerns. The conversation contrasts American skepticism with greater confidence in several European countries and considers how governments can make reliable information and tap water more accessible. The episode explores how public trust is earned, how institutional failures become environmental justice issues, and why confidence in safe tap water matters for sustainability.
Episode Guest: Dr. Jale Tosun
More information about Dr. Tosun here
Browse Dr. Tosun’s publications on Research Gate
More information about the episode and Something in the Water here.
Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media Website
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Hosted by Elena Berg
Written and produced by Elena Berg and Clark Marchese
Audio Editing by Clark Marchese
Cover art by Sarah Glavan
Theme Music by Josef Salvat