MOSCOW, January 23, 2007 Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents data obtained within the framework of a survey called "Population in Russia Talking About the Quality of Potable Water" carried out on the initiative of the Russian association of water supply and water disposal.

The majority of Russians (82%) most often use tap water as drinking water. This includes 35% of respondents who drink boiled tap water; 32% who use the usual tap water; and 15% who drink water previously filtered with a water-purifying filter. A little more than one tenth of respondents (12%) prefer to drink water from natural springs (well springs, springs, artesian boreholes, etc.). Few give preference to bottled water. Significant differences could be observed based on the federal district where respondents live. Thus, residents of Siberian (47%), Volga (43%) and Southern (39%) federal districts can be called leaders in tap water consumption. The share of respondents who use tap water as potable is at its lowest in North Western Federal District (16%).

Nearly two thirds of Russians (61%) usually use tap water for their domestic needs and for food preparation purposes. One fifth of respondents (20%) utilize previously filtered tap water for that same purpose; 12% take the water from natural springs. No more than 4% of respondents buy bottled water for their daily domestic needs and to cook food.

The majority of Russians do not know (27%) and are not interested (21%) to learn about water purification technologies in their city or town. 19% do not know anything about water purification and treatment but would like to learn something. 28% of respondents are to some extent aware of the methods being used to purify and treat water.

Russians consider electricity, heating and water supply to be the most important public utilities. 8% of Russians could do without water supply. Those who suppose that they could live without heating (5%) or electricity (3%) are still less numerous. A little less than half of respondents (40%) estimate that they could do without telephone services at home. Every fifth respondent (19%) could survive without gas supply. 14% of Russians think it possible to live without sewage. A considerable proportion of respondents (41%) found it hard to provide an answer for the question what public utilities they could live without.

The survey in Moscow was carried out right alter the all-Russia survey had taken place. That was done due to the fact that being a large megalopolis of the country and the world, Moscow has its own scale and peculiarities in terms of water supply, as well as an actively developing consumer market of potable water. Consequently, potable water consumption may have considerable differences if compared to the all-Russian data obtained.

The data received as a result of the survey conducted in Moscow, confirm the theory concerning the difference between potable water consumption in Russia in general and in Moscow in particular. Muscovites primarily utilize tap water as drinking water: 87% of respondents do so. However, 40% drink tap water that has previously been filtered with a water-purifying filter, 35% drink boiled tap water, and 12% consume water right from the tap. 12% drink bottled water at the place of permanent residence. And a tiny share of respondents consume water from natural springs (1%).

More than one third of Muscovites participating in the survey (37%) do not know anything about water treatment technologies; 19% are not interested in learning anything about these technologies in their city or town. Another 12% of respondents do not know anything about water purification or treatment, but would like to be aware and informed of the issue. About a third of respondents (31%) are aware of what technologies and measures of water treatment are implemented in the capital region.

The all-Russia opinion poll was conducted by VCIOM on November 3-4, 2007. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 153 population areas of 46 regions of Russia. The statistical error does not exceed 3.4%.

The Moscow opinion poll was conducted by VCIOM on December 1-10, 2007. 1200 respondents who have been living in Moscow for at least three years were interviewed in compliance with the age and gender quotas. The statistical error does not exceed 3.4%.