How democratic is your water utility? Does everyone who is registered to vote get to choose their leaders in elections? Or do only property owners get to vote for the managers? Maybe the public has no say at all in selecting the people who make decisions that determine safe and affordable drinking water? “We see significant differences based on democracy,” said Kristin Dobbin, a researcher at UC Berkeley. “It really does influence the outcomes of a water system.” In a new study she led, it turns out that water utilities where all voters have a say in choosing leaders tend to perform better.

Other water safety news:

• NBC Palm Springs (Calif.): National survey reveals gaps in Americans’ confidence about tap water safety​