Despite concern for saltwater intrusion, most Floridians are focusing their attention on other water issues.
PIE Center researchers Alexa Lamm and Tracy Irani developed a public opinion survey that looked into water issues facing Florida. More than half of those surveyed found saltwater intrusion highly or extremely important, with 9.7 percent reporting it as slightly or not at all important.
In comparison, only 37.7 percent of Floridians felt that hypoxia, or water with low levels of oxygen, was highly or extremely important. Nearly as many respondents, however, said hypoxia was slightly or not at all important.
“We know the public is not associating a high level of importance with these issues, but it may be because they’re not aware,” said Lamm, who is an assistant professor in the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication.
Saltwater intrusion occurs when saltwater seeps into underground aquifers, contaminating the once-fresh resources. Sea level rise, groundwater wells, and irrigation and drainage canals can exacerbate the problem.
Participants declared clean drinking water the most important issue, with 93.0 percent saying it was highly or extremely important. Clean drinking water was followed by clean beaches, clean bodies of water and plentiful water for agriculture.
The public’s relatively low concern over saltwater intrusion could be a result of it being a regional issue that directly affects only certain groups of people, Irani said.
“Generally, the public may not be aware of this issue specifically because it is not an issue that affects everyone at the same level,” Irani said. “Saltwater intrusion tends to be associated with climate issues more broadly. It’s something that scientists and folks who are more intimately or personally connected are paying more attention to.”
The PIE Center will conduct quarterly surveys measuring the Florida public’s opinions on issues like immigration, as well as invasive and endangered species. The opinion polls will occur annually to track changes over time.
“Our intent in doing these trend panels is to provide a snapshot of where the public is,” Irani said. “It’s up to the citizens, the constituents, the policymakers, and the scientists to work together to decide where the problems are and what they want to do about it.”
