Pennsylvanians and their Water Survey

Water is worth it! From the water we drink, to the crops we irrigate, to the lakes we swim in - Pennsylvania's water supply is vital and worth protecting. Here's a chance to be heard on water issues. Please share your opinions in this 5-minute survey.
(You must be 18 years or older to take this survey).

1. From the list below, select the 3 most important issues facing Pennsylvania’s waters where significant research, education, or funding should be directed? (Only choose 3).

From the list below, select the 3 most important issues facing Pennsylvania’s waters where significant research, education, or funding should be directed? (Only choose 3). Atmospheric pollution (emissions & deposition by acid rain & dry fallout impacting watersheds)

Chemical pollution (salt, oil, pesticides, metals, hazardous waste, pharmaceuticals, frac water, etc.)

Climatic variability (floods, droughts, etc.) or climate change

Deteriorating water infrastructure (well casings, pipes, treatment plants, etc.)

Invasion of non-native species (fish, zebra mussels, aquatic plants, etc.)

Overuse& multiple demands (declining supply, insufficient quantity of water, etc.)

Nutrient & sediment pollution (phosphorous, nitrogen, fertilizers, manure, erosion, etc.)

Storm water& wastewater pollution (septic systems, sewage, urban runoff, etc.)

Other (please specify)

2. In your opinion, how has the quality of rivers, streams and groundwater in your area changed in your lifetime?

In your opinion, how has the quality of rivers, streams and groundwater in your area changed in your lifetime? Water quality is worse

Water quality is the same

Water quality is better

Unsure

3. Your home tap water source is a:

Your home tap water source is a: Public water supply (community, municipal)

Private water supply (well, spring, etc.

Unsure

4. Your home tap water is drawn from:

Your home tap water is drawn from: Surface Water (river, lake, reservoir, etc.)

Ground Water (well or aquifer)

Both Surface Water and Ground Water

Unsure

5. Do you use a home water softener or other treatment equipment?

Do you use a home water softener or other treatment equipment? Yes

Unsure

6. In your opinion, your home tap water quality is:

In your opinion, your home tap water quality is: Poor

Fair

Good

Excellent

Unsure

7. How often have you personally paid to have your drinking water tested in the past 5 years?

How often have you personally paid to have your drinking water tested in the past 5 years? Never

1 time

2-5 times

5 or more times

Unsure

8. How much of your home drinking water comes from bottled water?

How much of your home drinking water comes from bottled water? None

Some

All

Unsure

9. How effective do you think incentives (such as cost sharing, tax breaks, or payments for conservation) are for protecting and improving Pennsylvania's water resources?

How effective do you think incentives (such as cost sharing, tax breaks, or payments for conservation) are for protecting and improving Pennsylvania's water resources? Very effective

Moderately effective

Not effective

10. How effective do you think regulations and enforcement (such as Clean Water Act, Clean Streams Law, zoning) are for protecting and improving Pennsylvania's water resources?

How effective do you think regulations and enforcement (such as Clean Water Act, Clean Streams Law, zoning) are for protecting and improving Pennsylvania's water resources? Very effective

Moderately effective

Not effective

11. How effective do you think educational programs (such as information from schools & universities, watershed groups, Cooperative Extension, government and non-governmental sources) are for protecting and improving Pennsylvania's water resources?

How effective do you think educational programs (such as information from schools & universities, watershed groups, Cooperative Extension, government and non-governmental sources) are for protecting and improving Pennsylvania's water resources? Very effective

Moderately effective

Not effective

12. How effective do you think individual or voluntary efforts (such as water conservation, less fertilizer use, eco-friendly living) are for protecting and improving Pennsylvania's water resources?

How effective do you think individual or voluntary efforts (such as water conservation, less fertilizer use, eco-friendly living) are for protecting and improving Pennsylvania's water resources? Very effective

Moderately effective

Not effective

13. With funds ($) available for water resources in Pennsylvania, how should the funds be balanced?
IMPROVING polluted & impaired waters
versus
PROTECTING healthy & good quality waters.

With funds ($) available for water resources in Pennsylvania, how should the funds be balanced? IMPROVING polluted & impaired waters versus PROTECTING healthy & good quality waters. Most $ to IMPROVING

Most $ to PROTECTING

Even: 50-50 Improving/Protecting

14. With funds ($) available for water resources in Pennsylvania, how should the funds be distributed?
TARGETED distribution addressing the most important or severe problems regardless of location
versus
EQUAL distribution providing the same funding to towns & counties across the state.

With funds ($) available for water resources in Pennsylvania, how should the funds be distributed? TARGETED distribution addressing the most important or severe problems regardless of location versus EQUAL distribution providing the same funding to towns & counties across the state. Most $ to TARGETED

Most $ to EQUAL

Even: 50-50 Targeted/Equal

15. How would you rate the current water quality of Lake Erie?

How would you rate the current water quality of Lake Erie? Poor

Fair

Good

Unsure

16. How would you rate the current water quality of the Chesapeake Bay?

How would you rate the current water quality of the Chesapeake Bay? Poor

Fair

Good

Unsure

17. What year were you born?

What year were you born?

18. What is your zip code?

What is your zip code?

19. You are

You are Male

Female

20. Choose the highest level of education you have completed

Choose the highest level of education you have completed Less than high school

High School/GED

Some college

2-Year College Degree (Associate, technical, etc.)

4-Year College Degree (BA, BS, etc.)

Professional Degree (MS, Ph.D., MD, etc.)

21. Please describe your occupation.

Please describe your occupation.

22. Please share any other comments regarding water in Pennsylvania, as we work to develop resources for water related research, management and education in Pennsylvania.

Please share any other comments regarding water in Pennsylvania, as we work to develop resources for water related research, management and education in Pennsylvania.