Experiencing Waters was a temporary immersive exhibit displayed at Canal Convergence 2021 and AZ Water Association Conference 2022 through which we explored the sensitivities and differences we each bring to tasting tap water. It was produced with input from residents who primarily do not drink tap water.
The exhibit, modeled on the sensory wheel used in categorizing water’s flavors, provided physical referents of flavors commonly found in Central Arizona’s drinking water. Exhibit attendees were asked to place tokens corresponding to three tap water samples near the referent that best matched their experience. Shomit Barua’s sonic landscape and projected visualizations suggested the human-natural hybridity of industrially produced water supplies.
The three samples represented Central Arizona’s water supply: groundwater, surface (river) water, and, with the introduction of advanced water purification, reverse osmosis treated water. Many were surprised that they could taste differences in the samples, and further surprised that others didn’t detect the same flavors. These findings were presented to drinking water policymakers to inform efforts to increase acceptance of tap water and advanced water purified wastewater.
Principal investigator: Marisa Manheim
Co-Investigators: Christy Spackman, Shomit Barua