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. I would be willing to change management practices to improve water quality. 8. 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. Toxic materials in the water 5. Cloudiness of the water 6. Algae in the water 7. Not enough oxygen in the water 8. Invasive aquatic plants and animals 9. Habitat alteration harming local fish 10. Pesticides

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. Grass clippings and leaves entering storm drains 2. Improperly maintained septic systems 3. Manure from farm animals 4. Stormwater runoff from rooftops and/or parking lots 5. Stormwater runoff from streets and/or highways 6. Droppings from geese, ducks and other waterfowl 7. Waste material from pets 8. Urban stormwater runoff 9. Residential stormwater runoff 10. Illegal hook-ups for urban runoff 11. Septic disposal 12. Waste storage/storage tank leaks (above ground) 13. Waste storage/storage tank leaks (underground) 14. Wildlife

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. Contaminated drinking water 2. Contaminated fish 3. High drinking water treatment costs 4. Reduced beauty of lakes or streams 5. Reduced opportunities for water recreation 6. Excessive aquatic plants or algae 7. 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. Add tank additives to a septic system 4. Add tank cleaners to a septic system 5. Inspect septic system for size and condition 6. Establish grass cover for septic system 7. Not planting trees and shrubs over septic system

Specific Constraints of Practices

Regular Septic System Servicing: Having septic system thoroughly cleaned every 3-5 years to remove all the sludge, effluent and scum from the tank.

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

Proper Pet Waste Disposal (including horses): Disposing of pet waste in a manner that prevents runoff to local waterways.

13. 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

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

15. 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 16. Don't know how to do it 17. Time required 18. Cost 19. The features of my property make it difficult 20. Insufficient proof of water quality benefit 21. Desire to keep things the way they are 22. Physical or health limitations 23. Hard to use with my farming system 24. 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. Lack of government funds for cost share 3. My own physical abilities 4. Lack of available information about a practice 5. No one else I know is implementing the practice 6. Approval of my neighbors 7. Don't know where to get information and/or assistance about those practices 8. Environmental damage caused by practice 9. Legal restrictions on my property 10. I do not own the property 11. Concerns about resale value 12. 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. What is your gender? Male Female

3. What is your age?

4. What is the highest grade in school you have completed? Some formal schooling High school diploma/GED Some college 2 year college degree 4 year college degree Post-graduate degree

5. What is the approximate size of your residential lot? 1/4 acre or less More than 1/4 acre but less than 1 acre 1 acre to less than 5 acres 5 acres or more

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

7. How long have you lived at your current residence (years)?

8. 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

9. What is your ethnicity? African American American Indian Asian/Asian American/Pacific Islander Hispanic/Latino White/Caucasian Multi-racial Other

10. Where are you likely to seek information about water quality issues? Newsletters/brochure/fact sheet Internet Radio Newspapers/magazines Workshops/demonstrations/meetings Conversations with others None of the above

11. Do you regularly read a local newspaper? Yes No

Information Sources

People get information about water quality from a number of different sources. To what extent do you trust those listed below as a source of information about soil and water?

Not at all Slightly Moderately Very much Am not familiar 1. Local watershed project 2. Soil and Water Conservation District 3. Local government 4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. University Extension 6. State environmental agency 7. Environmental groups 8. Local community leader 9. Neighbors / friends 10. Other landowners / friends 11. State natural resources agency 12. County Health department 13. Land trust

Septic Systems

1. Do you have a septic system? No Don't Know Yes

2. If you answered 'yes' to the previous question, in what year was it installed?

3. Within the last five years, have you had any of the following problems? (Check all that apply)- Slow drains Sewage backup in house Bad smells near tank or drain field Sewage on the surface Sewage flowing to ditch Frozen septic Other None Don't know

4. In the future, would you like a reminder from your local health department regarding inspection/maintenance of your septic system? Yes No Don't know

5. Do you have a garbage disposal? Yes, I use it daily Yes, I use it occasionally Yes, but I don't use it No

6. Does your septic system have an absorption field ( finger system )? Yes No Don't know

7. How would you know if your septic system was NOT working properly? (Check all that apply) Slow drains Sewage backup in house Bad smells Toilet backs up Wet spots in lawn Pumping tank monthly or more Straight pipe to ditch Frozen septic Don't know Other

8. Is your septic system designed to treat sewage or get rid of waste? Treat sewage Get rid of waste Both Neither Don't know

9. Do you think a local government agency should handle inspection and maintenance of septic systems? Yes No Don't Know

Thank You

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