Rating of Water Quality

Overall, how would you rate the quality of the water in your area?

Poor Okay Good Don't Know 1. For canoeing / kayaking / other boating 2. For eating locally caught fish 3. For swimming 4. For picnicking and family activities 5. For fish habitat 6. For scenic beauty

Your Water Resources

1. Of these activities, which is the most important to you? For canoeing / kayaking / other boating For eating locally caught fish For swimming For picnicking and family activities For fish habitat For scenic beauty

2. Do you know where the rain water goes when it runs off of your property? No Yes

3. If you answered 'Yes' above, where does your rain water drain to?

Your Opinions

Please indicate your level of agreement or disagreement with the statements below.

Strongly Disagree Disagree Neither Agree nor Disagree Agree Strongly Agree 1. The way that I care for my lawn and yard can influence water quality in local streams and lakes. 2. It is my personal responsibility to help protect water quality. 3. It is important to protect water quality even if it slows economic development. 4. My actions have an impact on water quality. 5. I would be willing to pay more to improve water quality (for example: though local taxes or fees) 6. I would be willing to change the way I care for my lawn and yard to improve water quality. 7. The quality of life in my community depends on good water quality in local streams, rivers and lakes.

Water Impairments

Below is a list of water pollutants and conditions that are generally present in water bodies to some extent. The pollutants and conditions become a problem when present in excessive amounts. In your opinion, how much of a problem are the following water impairments in your area?

Not a Problem Slight Problem Moderate Problem Severe Problem Don't Know 1. Sedimentation (dirt and soil) in the water 2. Phosphorus 3. Bacteria and viruses in the water (such as E.coli / coliform) 4. Trash or debris in the water 5. Oil and grease. 6. Flow Alteration

Sources of Water Pollution

The items listed below are sources of water quality pollution across the country. In your opinion, how much of a problem are the following sources in your area?

Not a Problem Slight Problem Moderate Problem Severe Problem Don't Know 1. Excessive use of lawn fertilizers and/or pesticides 2. Grass clippings and leaves entering storm drains 3. Improper disposal of used motor oil and/or antifreeze 4. Stormwater runoff from rooftops and/or parking lots 5. Street salt and sand 6. Waste material from pets 7. Littering/illegal dumping of trash

Consequences of Poor Water Quality

Poor water quality can lead to a variety of consequences for communities. In your opinion, how much of a problem are the following issues in your area?

Not a Problem Slight Problem Moderate Problem Severe Problem Don't Know 1. Polluted swimming areas 2. Contaminated fish 3. High drinking water treatment costs 4. Reduced beauty of lakes or streams 5. Excessive aquatic plants or algae 6. Lower property values

Practices to Improve Water Quality

Please indicate which statement most accurately describes your level of experience with each practice listed below.

Not relevant for my property Never heard of it Somewhat familiar with it Know how to use it; not using it Currently use it 1. Use a mulching lawn mower 2. Keep grass clippings and leaves out of the roads, ditches, and gutters 3. Follow pesticide application instructions for lawn and garden 4. Recycle automotive oil 5. Properly dispose of pet waste 6. Use rain barrels

Specific Constraints of Practices

Rain Garden : A garden that uses native plants to absorb and filter stormwater collected off a roof, parking lot, sidewalk, or driveway.

1. How familiar are you with this practice? Not relevant Never heard of it Somewhat familiar with it Know how to use it; not using it Currently use it

2. If the practice is not relevant, please explain why.

3. Are you willing to try this practice? Yes or already do Maybe No

How much do the following factors limit your ability to implement this practice?

Not at all A little Some A lot Don't Know 4. Don't know how to do it 5. Time required 6. Cost 7. The features of my property make it difficult 8. Insufficient proof of water quality benefit 9. Desire to keep things the way they are 10. Physical or health limitations 11. Hard to use with my farming system 12. Lack of equipment

Making Decisions for my Property

In general, how much does each issue limit your ability to change your management practices?

Not at all A little Some A lot Don't Know 1. Personal out-of-pocket expense 2. My own physical abilities 3. Not having access to the equipment that I need 4. No one else I know is implementing the practice 5. Approval of my neighbors 6. Don't know where to get information and/or assistance about those practices 7. Concerns about resale value 8. Not being able to see a demonstration of the practice before I decide 9. The need to learn new skills or techniques

About You

1. Do you make the home and lawn care decisions in your household? Yes No

2. Do you own or rent your home? Own Rent

3. Which of the following best describes where you live? In a town, village, or city In an isolated, rural, non-farm residence Rural subdivision or development On a farm

4. Do you use a professional lawn care service? Yes, just for mowing Yes, for mowing and fertilizing Yes, just for fertilizing and pest control Yes, for mowing, fertilizing, and pest control No

5. Are you a gardener? a gardener a Master Gardener a Master Rain Gardener No

6. Where are you likely to seek information about landscape and lawn issues? Internet search Radio Newspapers - magazines Newsletters - brochures Workshops - demonstrations Lawn care company Garden center - hardware store Product label Conversations with others

7. What is your zip code?

8. What is your age? 1-20 21-35 36-55 55-80 over 80

Information Sources

People get information about landscaping practices from a number of different sources. To what extent do you trust those listed below as a source of information about landscaping?

Not at all Slightly Moderately Very much Am not familiar 1. Neighbors - friends 2. Lawn care company 3. Local garden center 4. Environmental groups 5. Huron River Watershed Council 6. Michigan State University Extension 7. Local government {City or Township} 8. Washtenaw County Health department 9. Washtenaw County Water Resources 10. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality 11. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Thank You

1. Please use the space below for any additional comments about this survey or water resources in your community.

2. If you would like to be entered in a drawing for one of ten $15 gift cards, please enter your address below. If your address is drawn, we will mail it to you.