69th SWCS International Annual Conference July 27-30, 2014 Lombard, IL

1. Changes in Public Attitudes
and Actions about Water
Resources in the Pacific
Northwest since 2002
Robert L. Mahler
University of Idaho

2. Water Concerns
• Since the late 1980’s a major
emphasis has been placed on
addressing water concerns
▫ Regulatory approach
▫ Voluntary through education
approach

3. •Schools have emphasized
water education
▫K-12-youth education
▫Universities-adult education
•In the PNW, LGUs, through
Extension, have targeted
adults

4. Objectives
• To document voluntary actions the
general public has taken to address
water quality and quantity concerns
over the last 10 years
• To document how the public views
agriculture in the region

5. Methodology
• 60 Question survey developed in 2001
▫ Delivered in 2002
▫ Delivered in 2007
▫ Delivered in 2012
• Goal-950 completed surveys
▫ Sampling error of 4 to 6 percent
▫ 50% return rate
▫ Mail-based surveys

6. Methodology
• Four mailings to receive 50% target
▫ 1st mailing(survey, letter, reply envelope)
▫ 2nd mailing(5 weeks; reminder postcard)
▫ 3rd mailing(5 weeks; similar to 1st mailing)
▫ 4th mailing (5 week; post card; not always needed)

7. Methodology
• Data:
▫ Achieved 50%+ target rate for each survey
▫ Analyzed by SAS
 First level – frequencies
 Second level – demographic factors

8. Demographics
• 38% of respondents lived in communities
of more than 100,000 people; 16% in
communities less than 7,000 people
• 90% HS graduates; 30% college
graduates;
• Survey demographics reflected 2010
census demographics of adults

9. VIEW OF
AGRICULTURE

10. Water use for irrigated agriculture is
important or very important
2002 2007 2012
All
residents
74% 70% 70%
Urban
residents
65% 62% 61%

11. Agriculture is an important long-term
industry for the PNW
2002 2007 2012
All
residents
80% 77% 77%
Urban
residents
75% 74% 71%

12. Agriculture as a Major Polluter
2002 2007 2012
AG
Animals
28%(2) 30%(2) 32%(2)
AG
Crops
25%(4) 28%(3) 31%(3)

13. Major Polluters - 2012
Polluting
activity
% citing Rank
Industry 35.4 1
AG - animals 32.0 2
AG - crops 30.5 3
Storm water
runoff
29.2 4
Erosion –
roads/cons
25.5 5

14. AGRICULTURE
• Perception that AG is responsible for
significant surface water pollution is
correct
• In fact, AG receives less blame than it
should based on regulatory data
• AG is the major source of soil erosion
and nutrient and pesticide additions
to surface waters

15. VOLUNTARY ACTIONS
AS A CONSEQUENCE
OF EDUCATION

16. Voluntary Actions – Water Quality
Action 2002 2007 2012
Home waste
Disposal 25% 46% 60%
Pesticide/Fertili
zer Use 16% 31% 46%
Motor Oil
Disposal 20% 29% 65%
No Action
Taken 46% 26% 19%

17. Water Quality - Statistics
Action 2002 vs 2012 (p value) 2007 vs 2012 (p value)
Home Waste Disposal 0.0001 0.0001
Pesticide/Fertilizer
Use 0.0001 0.0001
Motor Oil Disposal 0.0001 0.0001
No Action Taken 0.0001 0.0001

18. Water Quality – Demographic Factors
Age **
Gender **
Community Size **
State NS
Occupation NS
Education Level NS
Residence Length NS

19. Gender
Action Males Females
Home Waste Disposal 54% 68%
Pesticide/Fertilizer
Use 42% 53%
Motor Oil Disposal 52% 77%

20. Age - Water Quality Actions
Action <30 30 to 50 50 to 70 >70
Home Waste
Disposal 55% 70% 72% 41%
Pesticide/Fe
rtilizer Use 41% 66% 64% 17%
Motor Oil
Disposal 53% 81% 77% 41%
No Action
Taken 20% 14% 16% 28%

21. Community Size – Water Quality Actions
Action >100 25-100 7-25 3.5-7 <3.5
Home
Waste
Disposal
70% 66% 58% 50% 42%
Pesticide/
Fertilizer
Use
58% 51% 41% 35% 30%
Motor Oil
Disposal 70% 63% 59% 56% 56%
No Action
Taken 11% 18% 22% 23% 27%

22. Home Waste Disposal
1. Eliminating sink disposal of products
containing metals
2. Saving products considered hazardous for
specific collection days
3. Safe disposal of unused pharmaceutical
products
4. Composting food wastes

23. Home Waste Disposal
5. More frequent pump outs of septic tanks
6. Increased recycling
7. Buying items with minimal packaging

24. Pesticide and Fertilizer Use
1. Reduced use of pesticides in yards
2. Reduced use of fertilizer in yards
3. Use of slow release fertilizers on lawns
4. More effective timing of fertilizer applications
to match nutrient availability with grass
growth.

25. Pesticide and Fertilizer Use
(continued)
5. Adhering to pesticide application rate levels on
products purchased from home and garden
centers.
6. Making sure that target pests are present on
plants prior to pesticide application
7. Using natural pesticides such as soaps which
are less harmful to water quality

26. Action 2002 2007 2012
Installed Water
Saving
Appliance
25% 46% 60%
Changed Yard
Watering 16% 31% 46%
Changed
Household
Water Use
20% 29% 65%
Changed
Vehicle
Washing
27% 30% 32%
No Action
Taken 46% 26% 19%
Voluntary Actions – Water Quantity

27. Action
2002 vs 2012 (p
value)
2007 vs 2012 (p
value)
Installed Water
Saving Appliance
0.0001 0.0008
Changed Yard
Watering
0.0001 NS
Changed Household
Water Use
0.0001 0.0001
Changed Vehicle
Washing
0.0140 NS
No Action Taken 0.0001 0.042
Water Quantity – Statistical Significance

28. Water Quantity – Demographic Factors
Age **
Gender **
Community size **
State **
Occupation NS
Education level NS
Residence length NS

29. Summary/Conclusions
• More than 87% of the region’s adults have made
lifestyle changes to address Water Quantity
Issues
• Almost 82% of adults have acted to improve
Water quality
• PNW residents see agriculture as important now
and in the future of the region

30. Summary/Conclusions
• Education to cause positive voluntary actions is
effective, and may work better than regulatory
actions in this part of the USA.
• Education at the adult level works!

31. Why has education worked?
• Residents place a high value on water resources
and they know that these resources are limited
• Voluntary actions have both positive
environmental and economic benefits.