A Survey of Public Perceptions and Attitudes about Water in Texas

Texas AgriLife Extension Service facilitated a random sample survey of Texans to evaluate citizen awareness, attitudes and willingness to act on water issues. Survey results revealed that clean drinking water (94%), clean groundwater (76%), and clean rivers and lakes (70%) are considered very important. Industry (45%), stormwater runoff (31%) and new suburban development (28%) are viewed as most probably responsible for existing pollution problems in rivers and lakes. About one-third of Texans suspect pesticides and nitrate and phosphate fertilizers affect water quality in their area. Few Texans believe that governmental entities or individual citizens (2 to 9%) are fulfilling their responsibilities for protecting water resources very well, although most reported not knowing for certain (23 to 43%). About half of all Texans believe that water quantity is an issue in their area, and only 20% believe there is a high chance that there will be an adequate water supply to meet demands in 10 years. Texans are most likely to receive water quality information from newspapers (42%), environmental agencies (40%) and television (38%). Farmers and ranchers (40%) are especially likely to obtain water quality information from the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Most Texans would like to learn more about protecting public drinking water supplies (50%), water management in home and garden landscaping (34%), and fish and wildlife water needs (28%). Those living outside of city limits and not farming also are greatly interested in private wells and septic system management. Texans are most likely to obtain water resource information by viewing TV coverage (45%); reading fact sheets, bulletins or brochures (45%); or visiting Web sites (44%). Results of this survey provide important information about Texans’ beliefs and understanding of important water resource issues, and will be useful to decision- and policy-makers in planning for the future.