Stormwater Knowledge, Attitude and Behaviors

1 Stormwater knowledge , Attitude and Behaviors : A 2005 survey of North Carolina Residents Chrystal Bartlett Acknowledgements This survey was funded by a Section 319 Clean Water Act grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, administered by the N. C. Division of Water Quality. The instrument was developed by East Carolina University s Center for survey Research in collaboration with the N. C. Department of Environment & Natural Resources. Data collection and analysis were performed by ECU s Center for survey Research.

2 The Division of Water Quality s Nonpoint Source Planning and Permitting sections, The DENR Offices of Environmental Education and Public Affairs, Drs. Bill Hunt and Deanna Osmond, North Carolina State University and Samantha Foushee, Project Manager, ECU Center for survey Research provided special assistance. DENR s Creative Services department provided layout and composition. Contents 1. Introduction 1 2. Literature Review 2 3. Method 8 4.

3 Findings 9 5. Recommendations 19 Illustrations 1. Representation by County 9 2. Where Stormwater Goes 11 3. Stormwater Treatment by Gender 12 4. Grass Clippings Disposal to Storm Drains by Education 13 5.

4 Monthly Fertilizers by Income 14 6. Soil Test by Age 14 7. Vehicle Wash Water Drains to Street or Driveway 15 8. Pet Waste Pickup by Gender 17 Maps 1. North Carolina Phase II Counties 19 Notes Appendix A A-1 survey Instrument Appendix B B-1 Frequency Counts Appendix

5 C C-1 Cross-Tabulations I. Water Quality C-1 II. Where Stormwater Goes C-15 III. Lawn Care C-21 IV. Vehicle Care C-37 V. Pet Waste C-51 North Carolina Stormwater survey 2005 Abstract North Carolinians awareness, perceptions and Behaviors related to polluted Stormwater runoff in North Carolina were measured using a 31-item phone survey administered in August and September of 2005.

6 Findings indicate a slight majority perceive overall water quality in local streams, lakes and rivers as good and the greatest perceived water pollution threats are trash dumped into lakes and rivers by recreational users and the waste water from manufacturing and sewer treatment plants. Most respondents did not know that Stormwater flows untreated to the closest stream, lake or river. Behaviors affecting Stormwater pollution were also explored. Although slightly less than half of respondents fertilize their yards, most of them do not use a soil test to determine soil needs.

7 Most North Carolina residents leave grass clippings on their lawns, wash their own cars and have their oil changed at commercial facilities. However, the majority of pet walkers do not dispose of pet waste properly, and small groups report dumping used oil into storm drains or onto grassy areas as well as over-applying fertilizer to their lawns. Introduction Stormwater runoff pollution, the dirty, untreated water resulting when rain or snow melt picks up pollutants en route to area streams, rivers or lakes, has been cited as the greatest threat to water quality in the United States.

8 To address this problem, many states are administering the United States Environmental Protection Agency s Phase II federal Stormwater program. Under Phase II rules, entities that produce Stormwater are regulated through permits. Permit holders are required to employ best management practices that prevent or reduce polluted Stormwater runoff, conduct outreach and education, provide opportunities for public participation and perform good housekeeping practices within their own operations.

9 The program is an extension of the Phase I National Pollution Discharge Elimination System implemented in 1990. North Carolina has issued over 100 Phase II permits to counties and cities. Gathering baseline measures of state residents knowledge of Stormwater , their perceptions regarding water quality and the Behaviors that negatively impact Stormwater runoff will improve future state and local government outreach efforts. The benefits lay in knowing where to focus campaign materials and how best to frame issues for different target audiences.

10 Additionally, the baseline levels provide a ruler by which the success of future campaigns can be assessed. Two additional, annual surveys will be administered to gather this data. The survey output will increase campaign effectiveness while providing valuable feedback on efficiency. 1 North Carolina Stormwater survey 2005 Literature Review Surveys measuring pre and post campaign effectiveness are an old tool, but given Stormwater s relatively new focus, they have only recently been used in this area.