The Social Science Research Institute at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, conducted a telephone survey of adult residents of Tennessee regarding perceptions of water quality across the state and household habits pertaining to the disposal methods of potential pollutants.  Additionally, respondents were asked about their knowledge of nonpoint source pollution and preferences for the financing of water quality improvement.  The survey was conducted from March 14, 2005 through April 4, 2005 using the  Random Digit Dialing method .  A total of 812 randomly-selected adult residents of Tennessee were interviewed with a resulting +/- 3.3%  margin of error.  The cooperation rate for the survey was 36.2%.

Trained personnel, using a Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) System, conducted all interviews.  The survey was designed and analyzed by Dr. Michael M. Gant, Director, Social Science Research Institute and Linda M. Daugherty, Program Director, Social Science Research Institute for the WaterWorks Program at the Center for Environmental Education, Middle Tennessee State University.  This project is funded, in part, under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Nonpoint Source Program and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Assistance Agreement #C9994674-02-0.  Demographic information includes respondents’ state region, age, sex, income level, education level, racial heritage, and urban or rural status.

Perceptions of Water Quality

Tennessee residents are generally satisfied with the overall quality of rivers and streams where they live, with less than 20% judging nearby waterways as very poor/poor.  On the other hand, less than five percent rate local waterways as excellent.  Satisfaction does not appear to depend on either geographic variable.  With respect to the demographic measures, the only noticeable difference lies among those of other racial/ethnic identification, a third of whom rate local rivers and streams as very poor or poor.

Almost two-thirds of Tennesseans rate their drinking water as good or excellent.  This tendency is most pronounced among males, as well as residents of West Tennessee.  Respondents whose annual income is less than $25,000, as well as those of other racial/ethnic minorities, are least likely to rate their drinking water highly.

Lawn Care Pollution

Most Tennesseans dispose of lawn clippings by either mulching or blowing them back into the yard.  West Tennesseans, and African Americans, are most likely to report throwing clippings in the garbage, while those from rural areas are the least likely.  Rural residents, along with town-dwellers, also are most likely to mulch.  Males are more likely to report mulching than are females.

Only about one-fourth of respondents report testing their soil for fertilizers or pesticides.  Residents of West Tennessee, and African Americans, are most likely to report such testing.  Those with the lowest levels of education and income are the least likely to report such testing.

Tennesseans are evenly split with respect to whether they have fertilized their lawns within the past two years.  West Tennesseans, African Americans, and urbanites are the most likely to have fertilized.  Those who live in rural areas, as well as those in the lowest education and income groupings, are least likely to have reported mulching.

Of those who have fertilized in the past two years, over 80% report following package directions.  West Tennesseans; city residents; those with the lowest level of education; and the young are least likely to report having followed package directions.

Among those who reported not following package directions for fertilizing, those who fertilized less often than recommended outnumbered those who fertilized too often by over two-to-one.  The tendency to under-fertilize was most pronounced among East Tennesseans, city residents, those with graduate degrees, and males.

Car Care Pollution

A majority of Tennesseans report using a car wash, rather than washing their cars at home.  Rural residents and the young are most likely to wash their cars at home, while those with lower incomes are least likely to wash their cars at home.

Among those who wash their cars at home, almost three-fourths say the water is absorbed into the yard, as opposed to washing down a drain.  West Tennesseans, and city-dwellers, are less likely to report absorption of the water; whites are much more likely than African Americans to report absorption.

Four-fifths of respondents report having their oil changed at a service center, rather than doing it themselves.  City residents, older respondents, females, and those with higher levels of income and education are most likely to use a service center.  Younger respondents, and those with lower levels of education and income, are more likely to report changing their oil themselves.

Among respondents who change their own oil, two-thirds report disposing of the oil at a recycling center; only about 5% say they dump the used oil in their yard.  City-dwellers are most likely to use a service center, while those in the lowest income and educational groupings are least likely to report using a recycling center.

A majority of respondents do not allow smoking in their automobiles.  Less than one-half of the following groups ban smoking:  those in the lowest education and income levels, and African Americans.  Among those who do allow smoking, almost three-fourths say they use the ash tray to dispose of cigarette butts.  The youngest age cohort is the only group to be more likely to report not using the ash tray.

About 60% of respondents report having a trash bag in their cars.  City residents and respondents in the lowest income group are least likely to report having a trash bag.  Those in the oldest age cohort, females, and respondents of other racial/ethnic identity, were the most likely to report having a trash bag in their cars.

Pollution from Cleaning Products

Around 60% of respondents say that at least some of the cleaning products in their home are biodegradable.  However, over one-third simply do not know about their home cleaning products.  The differences across all groups on this measure are, for the most part, negligible.

Two-thirds of respondents say they would be willing to use cleaning products that are safer for the environment, even if such products are more costly.  Those least likely to express such willingness, and the most likely to say such a decision would depend on how much more costly such products would be, are those respondents with limited incomes; and those most likely to have limited incomes—those with less than a high school education, and the oldest cohort of respondents.

Waste System and Water Source

Respondents are evenly split between relying on sewers or septic tanks for waste disposal for their homes.  A majority of East Tennesseans have a septic tank, as do almost all rural residents.  Most West Tennesseans, city residents and African Americans are on sewer systems.  The likelihood of relying on a septic tank decreases as education and income increase.

Among those with septic tanks, over three-fourths report having the tank pumped as needed.  Only about 6% report having their septic tank pumped yearly or more often.  There are no appreciable differences across the various demographic groups on this measure.

Over 85% of respondents report getting their water from a utility, rather than from a well.  City residents, respondents with graduate degrees, and African Americans are the most likely to rely on a utility.  Not surprisingly, rural residents are the most likely to use well water.

Opinions Concerning Water Pollution

Three-fourths of all respondents agreed that most water pollution comes from everyday activities in our homes, workplaces, and cars.  The tendency to agree with this statement increased with formal education, and decreased with age.

About 80% of respondents disagreed with the statement, “Small changes in people’s daily habits and activities will have no effect on improving water quality.”  Further, the tendency to disagree increased with education and income, and decreased with age.

Only about one-half of our respondents said the statement, “Pet waste from household pets is not a significant source of  water pollution,” was false, with the likelihood of saying so decreasing with age.  African American respondents were also more likely to say this statement was false.

Two-thirds of respondents thought that droppings from pigeons and other birds such as ducks and geese could be a significant source of water pollution. Differences across groups on this measure were negligible.

Nonpoint Source Water Pollution

Virtually none of our respondents were familiar with the term “nonpoint source pollution.”  When the term was explained, and possible sources defined, respondents viewed agricultural chemical runoff, and automobile fluids, as the primary sources of nonpoint source pollution.

To cover the costs of improving water quality, should it be necessary, Tennesseans would prefer an assessed fee on water use over a general tax increase by a two-to-one margin.  This pattern holds across all residential groupings.  This preference for an assessed fee over a tax increase strengthens with level of education and income.

Exposure to Clean Water Ads

Almost one-half of respondents, 44%, recall seeing one or more ads about clean water quality on television.  The two youngest age cohorts and the lowest income grouping were slightly less likely to recall seeing such ads.  Otherwise, there are few differences across demographic categories.

The most common medium for seeing a clean water quality ad on television was cable; 39% of those who recalled seeing such ads cited cable channels as the source.  Cable was followed by local access channels, and commercial channels, both mentioned by about one-quarter of respondents who recalled seeing an ad.  Fewer than 5% mentioned a source other than these three.

Just under 15% of respondents recall hearing a clean water ad on radio.  Respondents who live in rural areas were the most likely to recall such ads, and those with less than a high school education the least likely.  One quarter of those who recall a radio ad said they had changed their behavior as a result, with the youngest three cohorts, and African Americans, among the most likely to report behavior change.

We asked those who said their behavior had changed a follow-up question:  “How has your behavior changed?”  Click here to view responses to this open-ended question.

The majority of Tennesseans do not smoke in their cars.  However, of those that do smoke in their cars, the higher educated, higher income respondents are more likely to not use the ash tray.  For survey responses concerning cigarette smoking in cars, click here.

The majority of Tennesseans has a trash bag in their car for garbage and drink containers.  Older residents and those living in rural areas are more likely to have this amenity than are their younger, urban counterparts.  For survey responses concerning trash bags in cars, click here.