Most Americans value water usage as an important issue the nation currently faces, among others like the economy, health care and public education. Researchers with the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources asked 1,137 citizens about their perceptions concerning the quantity and quality of the United States’ water supply in a nationwide public opinion survey.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the typical American family of four uses 400 gallons of water per day, most of which are used for indoor activities like showering, flushing toilets, and washing clothes. It should come as no surprise then that the PIE Center’s most recent national public opinion survey revealed water to be a top issue to United States citizens. Water was the third ranked highly or extremely important issue, only following the economy and the health care system.
While Americans identify water as a significant concern for them, 73 percent are willing to vote in support of water conservation programs and 67 percent are willing to vote for the candidates that support them.
Most respondents indicated having a plentiful water supply is essential for cities, agriculture, and commerce/ industry. Thirty-nine percent of those surveyed believed it is important for household landscapes to have plentiful water, signaling an opportunity to educate homeowners on how to conserve water outdoors and support water restrictions issued by local government so it can be
delegated to more valued purposes.
Americans are cognizant of indoor water usage, with a large percent indicating that they only run their dishwashers and washing machines when they are full.
Eighty-nine percent of Americans stated they are likely to dispose of their hazardous material in the proper locations. However, only 55 percent were likely to use biodegradeable cleaning products in order to prevent water pollution.
Lamm led the survey for the PIE Center in the Fall of 2015.
Media contact: Alexa Lamm, alamm@ufl.edu or 352-392-6545.
