2026 Alliance of Downriver Watersheds Resident Survey

This survey is sponsored by the Alliance of Downriver Watersheds (ADW) and its member communities. We are asking your opinion on issues that affect the quality of life in the Downriver area. Your answers are anonymous. We are not selling anything. Survey results will help the ADW conduct future public outreach efforts. Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your thoughts with us.

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1. Which of these townships, villages, or cities do you live in?

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2. Which activities have you or other members of your household participated in or near lakes and streams in this area during the past year? (Check all that apply)

Fishing

Boating

Canoeing/kayaking

Bird/nature watching

Picnicking

Biking

Swimming

Hiking/walking

Don't participate in activities near lakes/rivers/streams

Other (please specify)

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3. Here are some issues your local community leaders deal with. Please rank by what you personally consider most important (on top) to least important (on bottom).

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4. Here are environmental topics your local community leaders deal with. Please rank by what you personally consider most important (on top) to least important (on bottom).

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5. How often do you come across information or conversations about these topics?

	Never	Rarely	Sometimes	Often
Contaminants in food and drinking water	Contaminants in food and drinking water Never	Contaminants in food and drinking water Rarely	Contaminants in food and drinking water Sometimes	Contaminants in food and drinking water Often
Global warming, also known as climate change	Global warming, also known as climate change Never	Global warming, also known as climate change Rarely	Global warming, also known as climate change Sometimes	Global warming, also known as climate change Often
Protecting parks, natural areas, and wildlife	Protecting parks, natural areas, and wildlife Never	Protecting parks, natural areas, and wildlife Rarely	Protecting parks, natural areas, and wildlife Sometimes	Protecting parks, natural areas, and wildlife Often
Hazardous waste sites	Hazardous waste sites Never	Hazardous waste sites Rarely	Hazardous waste sites Sometimes	Hazardous waste sites Often
Water pollution in local waterways, the Detroit River, and Lake Michigan	Water pollution in local waterways, the Detroit River, and Lake Michigan Never	Water pollution in local waterways, the Detroit River, and Lake Michigan Rarely	Water pollution in local waterways, the Detroit River, and Lake Michigan Sometimes	Water pollution in local waterways, the Detroit River, and Lake Michigan Often
Waste disposal and recycling	Waste disposal and recycling Never	Waste disposal and recycling Rarely	Waste disposal and recycling Sometimes	Waste disposal and recycling Often
Air pollution	Air pollution Never	Air pollution Rarely	Air pollution Sometimes	Air pollution Often

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6. In your personal opinion, how harmful are these threats to local waterways, the Detroit River, and Lake Erie?

	Not harmful at all	Not very harmful	Somewhat harmful	Very harmful	Don't Know
Loss of wetlands and natural areas	Loss of wetlands and natural areas Not harmful at all	Loss of wetlands and natural areas Not very harmful	Loss of wetlands and natural areas Somewhat harmful	Loss of wetlands and natural areas Very harmful	Loss of wetlands and natural areas Don't Know
Polluted runoff from yards, streets, parking lots, and farms	Polluted runoff from yards, streets, parking lots, and farms Not harmful at all	Polluted runoff from yards, streets, parking lots, and farms Not very harmful	Polluted runoff from yards, streets, parking lots, and farms Somewhat harmful	Polluted runoff from yards, streets, parking lots, and farms Very harmful	Polluted runoff from yards, streets, parking lots, and farms Don't Know
Industrial facilities dumping waste	Industrial facilities dumping waste Not harmful at all	Industrial facilities dumping waste Not very harmful	Industrial facilities dumping waste Somewhat harmful	Industrial facilities dumping waste Very harmful	Industrial facilities dumping waste Don't Know
Residents disposing of oil or household chemicals down the drain	Residents disposing of oil or household chemicals down the drain Not harmful at all	Residents disposing of oil or household chemicals down the drain Not very harmful	Residents disposing of oil or household chemicals down the drain Somewhat harmful	Residents disposing of oil or household chemicals down the drain Very harmful	Residents disposing of oil or household chemicals down the drain Don't Know
Mining, drilling, and other extractive industries	Mining, drilling, and other extractive industries Not harmful at all	Mining, drilling, and other extractive industries Not very harmful	Mining, drilling, and other extractive industries Somewhat harmful	Mining, drilling, and other extractive industries Very harmful	Mining, drilling, and other extractive industries Don't Know
Overuse of water by homes, farms, and businesses	Overuse of water by homes, farms, and businesses Not harmful at all	Overuse of water by homes, farms, and businesses Not very harmful	Overuse of water by homes, farms, and businesses Somewhat harmful	Overuse of water by homes, farms, and businesses Very harmful	Overuse of water by homes, farms, and businesses Don't Know
Unnaturally intense weather and floods, caused by global warming	Unnaturally intense weather and floods, caused by global warming Not harmful at all	Unnaturally intense weather and floods, caused by global warming Not very harmful	Unnaturally intense weather and floods, caused by global warming Somewhat harmful	Unnaturally intense weather and floods, caused by global warming Very harmful	Unnaturally intense weather and floods, caused by global warming Don't Know
Invasive pest species like Asian carp or zebra mussels	Invasive pest species like Asian carp or zebra mussels Not harmful at all	Invasive pest species like Asian carp or zebra mussels Not very harmful	Invasive pest species like Asian carp or zebra mussels Somewhat harmful	Invasive pest species like Asian carp or zebra mussels Very harmful	Invasive pest species like Asian carp or zebra mussels Don't Know

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7. Here are some statements about water pollution and related threats to waterways. How do you feel about them?

	Strongly disagree	Somewhat disagree	Neutral	Somewhat agree	Strongly agree
Water pollution and related problems affect me or my family	Water pollution and related problems affect me or my family Strongly disagree	Water pollution and related problems affect me or my family Somewhat disagree	Water pollution and related problems affect me or my family Neutral	Water pollution and related problems affect me or my family Somewhat agree	Water pollution and related problems affect me or my family Strongly agree
Water pollution and related problems affect others in my community	Water pollution and related problems affect others in my community Strongly disagree	Water pollution and related problems affect others in my community Somewhat disagree	Water pollution and related problems affect others in my community Neutral	Water pollution and related problems affect others in my community Somewhat agree	Water pollution and related problems affect others in my community Strongly agree
It is urgent to address water pollution and related problems now	It is urgent to address water pollution and related problems now Strongly disagree	It is urgent to address water pollution and related problems now Somewhat disagree	It is urgent to address water pollution and related problems now Neutral	It is urgent to address water pollution and related problems now Somewhat agree	It is urgent to address water pollution and related problems now Strongly agree

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8. How much responsibility does each of the following have to prevent water pollution or protect local waterways, including the Detroit River and Lake Erie?

	No responsibility	A little responsibility	Some responsibility	A great deal of responsibility
Individuals like me	Individuals like me No responsibility	Individuals like me A little responsibility	Individuals like me Some responsibility	Individuals like me A great deal of responsibility
Local businesses/small businesses	Local businesses/small businesses No responsibility	Local businesses/small businesses A little responsibility	Local businesses/small businesses Some responsibility	Local businesses/small businesses A great deal of responsibility
Corporations/big business	Corporations/big business No responsibility	Corporations/big business A little responsibility	Corporations/big business Some responsibility	Corporations/big business A great deal of responsibility
Water and wastewater utilities	Water and wastewater utilities No responsibility	Water and wastewater utilities A little responsibility	Water and wastewater utilities Some responsibility	Water and wastewater utilities A great deal of responsibility
Local government	Local government No responsibility	Local government A little responsibility	Local government Some responsibility	Local government A great deal of responsibility
State government in Lansing	State government in Lansing No responsibility	State government in Lansing A little responsibility	State government in Lansing Some responsibility	State government in Lansing A great deal of responsibility

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9. Here are other statements about water pollution and related threats to waterways. How do you feel about these?

	Strongly disagree	Somewhat disagree	Neutral	Somewhat agree	Strongly agree
I can take actions to prevent water pollution and protect waterways	I can take actions to prevent water pollution and protect waterways Strongly disagree	I can take actions to prevent water pollution and protect waterways Somewhat disagree	I can take actions to prevent water pollution and protect waterways Neutral	I can take actions to prevent water pollution and protect waterways Somewhat agree	I can take actions to prevent water pollution and protect waterways Strongly agree
The actions of a single person like me won’t make any difference	The actions of a single person like me won’t make any difference Strongly disagree	The actions of a single person like me won’t make any difference Somewhat disagree	The actions of a single person like me won’t make any difference Neutral	The actions of a single person like me won’t make any difference Somewhat agree	The actions of a single person like me won’t make any difference Strongly agree
If the community works together, we can solve these problems	If the community works together, we can solve these problems Strongly disagree	If the community works together, we can solve these problems Somewhat disagree	If the community works together, we can solve these problems Neutral	If the community works together, we can solve these problems Somewhat agree	If the community works together, we can solve these problems Strongly agree
There is nothing anybody can do to solve these problems	There is nothing anybody can do to solve these problems Strongly disagree	There is nothing anybody can do to solve these problems Somewhat disagree	There is nothing anybody can do to solve these problems Neutral	There is nothing anybody can do to solve these problems Somewhat agree	There is nothing anybody can do to solve these problems Strongly agree

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10. In your personal opinion, the water quality of local waterways, the Detroit River, and Lake Erie is:

Getting much worse

Getting somewhat worse

The same

Getting somewhat better

Getting much better

Don’t know

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11. Imagine tomorrow you will do something to protect your local waterways, the Detroit River, and Lake Erie. What would it be?

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12. Which of the following actions do you recall taking in the last 12 months? (Check all that apply)

Removed pet waste from backyard at least twice a week

Made a special effort to dispose of household or automotive chemicals safely

Purchased a product or service because it was better for the environment

Attended a public meeting about an environmental topic

Voted for a candidate because of their environmental record or campaign promises

Supported a local environmental organization with time or money

Participated in a neighborhood cleanup event

Planted trees or shrubs in my yard

Avoided using chemicals or fertilizers in my lawn or garden

None of the above

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13. How familiar are you with the concept of “nonpoint source pollution?"

Extremely familiar

Very familiar

Somewhat familiar

Not so familiar

Not at all familiar

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14. How familiar are you with the concept of a “watershed?”

Extremely familiar

Very familiar

Somewhat familiar

Not so familiar

Not at all familiar

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15. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements about wetland habitats’ impact on surrounding areas?

	Strongly disagree	Somewhat disagree	Neutral	Somewhat agree	Strongly agree
Wetlands protect communities from forest fires	Wetlands protect communities from forest fires Strongly disagree	Wetlands protect communities from forest fires Somewhat disagree	Wetlands protect communities from forest fires Neutral	Wetlands protect communities from forest fires Somewhat agree	Wetlands protect communities from forest fires Strongly agree
Wetlands prevent the introduction of undesirable plants and animals	Wetlands prevent the introduction of undesirable plants and animals Strongly disagree	Wetlands prevent the introduction of undesirable plants and animals Somewhat disagree	Wetlands prevent the introduction of undesirable plants and animals Neutral	Wetlands prevent the introduction of undesirable plants and animals Somewhat agree	Wetlands prevent the introduction of undesirable plants and animals Strongly agree
Wetlands help filter pollution from water and reduce floods	Wetlands help filter pollution from water and reduce floods Strongly disagree	Wetlands help filter pollution from water and reduce floods Somewhat disagree	Wetlands help filter pollution from water and reduce floods Neutral	Wetlands help filter pollution from water and reduce floods Somewhat agree	Wetlands help filter pollution from water and reduce floods Strongly agree
Wetlands are good sites for landfills	Wetlands are good sites for landfills Strongly disagree	Wetlands are good sites for landfills Somewhat disagree	Wetlands are good sites for landfills Neutral	Wetlands are good sites for landfills Somewhat agree	Wetlands are good sites for landfills Strongly agree

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16. When rainwater or melting snow goes into the storm drains along the street, what happens to it?

It is stored in underground tanks

It is pumped back into homes and businesses

It goes to a wastewater treatment plant and then into a waterway like the Detroit River or Lake Erie

It goes directly into a local waterway like the Detroit River or Lake Erie, no filters, no treatment

Don’t know

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17. Where do you recall coming across information or discussion about local waterways, the Detroit River, or Lake Erie in the past 12 months? (Check all that apply)

Online article or web page

News story or documentary film

Online discussion (Facebook, Twitter, email group, Yelp, Amazon.com, etc.)

Signs or literature at parks, zoos, or nature centers

Brochure or flyer

Something in the mail

Conversation with a store clerk or salesperson

A report from a nonprofit organization or government agency

None of the Above

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18. In the past 12 months, in which of the following ways have you interacted with your local government? (Check all that apply)

Read an email newsletter from my local government

Read a social media post from my local government

Read informational materials included in my water bill

Watched official programming on public access television

Attended a meeting or hearing sponsored by my local government

Picked up brochures or literature from a local government office

Looked for information on the website of my local government

Called a local government official with a question

Emailed a local government official with a question

None of the above

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19. What watershed issues are you most concerned with? Please select your top 3.

Recreation access and safety

Flooding

Pollution (e.g., stormwater runoff, PFAS, microplastics)

Ecological and natural area protection

Invasive species

Drinking water quality

Dams (i.e., removal, management)

Climate change

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Take a minute to look at the cover of this calendar.

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20. Have you come across this calendar before?

Yes

Not sure

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21. How did you hear about this survey?

Facebook

Instagram

Nextdoor

Website

Friend

Other (please specify)

Thank you for your contribution towards water quality. The Alliance of Downriver Watersheds wants to ensure inclusivity in our programming. Demographic questions such as the following help us to better understand our audiences to best direct our outreach efforts. Just a reminder that all responses are anonymous.

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22. Are you Hispanic or Latino?

Yes

Prefer not to answer

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23. Which of the following best describes your race/ethnicity?

American Indian or Alaskan Native

Asian or Asian American

Black or African American

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

White

Prefer not to answer

Other or multiple ethnicities (please specify)

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24. What is your age?

Under 25

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65+

Prefer not to answer

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25. Would you say your annual household income is:

Under $35,000

$35,000-$59,999

$60,000-$99,999

$100,000-$199,999

More than $200,000

Prefer not to answer

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26. What is the highest level of school you have completed or the highest degree you have received?

Less than high school degree

High school degree or equivalent (e.g., GED)

Some college but no degree

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree

Graduate degree

Prefer not to answer

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27. Do you have any parting thoughts you would like to share?

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28. Would you like to be entered to win one of six (6) $50 gift cards?

Yes

2026 Alliance of Downriver Watersheds Resident Survey

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* 1. Which of these townships, villages, or cities do you live in?

Question Title

* 2. Which activities have you or other members of your household participated in or near lakes and streams in this area during the past year? (Check all that apply)

Question Title

* 3. Here are some issues your local community leaders deal with. Please rank by what you personally consider most important (on top) to least important (on bottom).

Question Title

* 4. Here are environmental topics your local community leaders deal with. Please rank by what you personally consider most important (on top) to least important (on bottom).

Question Title

* 5. How often do you come across information or conversations about these topics?

Question Title

* 6. In your personal opinion, how harmful are these threats to local waterways, the Detroit River, and Lake Erie?

Question Title

* 7. Here are some statements about water pollution and related threats to waterways. How do you feel about them?

Question Title

* 8. How much responsibility does each of the following have to prevent water pollution or protect local waterways, including the Detroit River and Lake Erie?

Question Title

* 9. Here are other statements about water pollution and related threats to waterways. How do you feel about these?

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* 10. In your personal opinion, the water quality of local waterways, the Detroit River, and Lake Erie is:

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* 11. Imagine tomorrow you will do something to protect your local waterways, the Detroit River, and Lake Erie. What would it be?

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* 12. Which of the following actions do you recall taking in the last 12 months? (Check all that apply)

Question Title

* 13. How familiar are you with the concept of “nonpoint source pollution?"

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* 14. How familiar are you with the concept of a “watershed?”

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* 15. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements about wetland habitats’ impact on surrounding areas?

Question Title

* 16. When rainwater or melting snow goes into the storm drains along the street, what happens to it?

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* 17. Where do you recall coming across information or discussion about local waterways, the Detroit River, or Lake Erie in the past 12 months? (Check all that apply)

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* 18. In the past 12 months, in which of the following ways have you interacted with your local government? (Check all that apply)

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* 19. What watershed issues are you most concerned with? Please select your top 3.

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Take a minute to look at the cover of this calendar.

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* 20. Have you come across this calendar before?

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* 21. How did you hear about this survey?

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* 22. Are you Hispanic or Latino?

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* 23. Which of the following best describes your race/ethnicity?

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* 24. What is your age?

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* 25. Would you say your annual household income is:

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* 26. What is the highest level of school you have completed or the highest degree you have received?

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* 27. Do you have any parting thoughts you would like to share?

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* 28. Would you like to be entered to win one of six (6) $50 gift cards?

1. Which of these townships, villages, or cities do you live in?

2. Which activities have you or other members of your household participated in or near lakes and streams in this area during the past year? (Check all that apply)

3. Here are some issues your local community leaders deal with. Please rank by what you personally consider most important (on top) to least important (on bottom).

4. Here are environmental topics your local community leaders deal with. Please rank by what you personally consider most important (on top) to least important (on bottom).

5. How often do you come across information or conversations about these topics?

6. In your personal opinion, how harmful are these threats to local waterways, the Detroit River, and Lake Erie?

7. Here are some statements about water pollution and related threats to waterways. How do you feel about them?

8. How much responsibility does each of the following have to prevent water pollution or protect local waterways, including the Detroit River and Lake Erie?

9. Here are other statements about water pollution and related threats to waterways. How do you feel about these?

10. In your personal opinion, the water quality of local waterways, the Detroit River, and Lake Erie is:

11. Imagine tomorrow you will do something to protect your local waterways, the Detroit River, and Lake Erie. What would it be?

12. Which of the following actions do you recall taking in the last 12 months? (Check all that apply)

13. How familiar are you with the concept of “nonpoint source pollution?"

14. How familiar are you with the concept of a “watershed?”

15. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements about wetland habitats’ impact on surrounding areas?

16. When rainwater or melting snow goes into the storm drains along the street, what happens to it?

17. Where do you recall coming across information or discussion about local waterways, the Detroit River, or Lake Erie in the past 12 months? (Check all that apply)

18. In the past 12 months, in which of the following ways have you interacted with your local government? (Check all that apply)

19. What watershed issues are you most concerned with? Please select your top 3.

20. Have you come across this calendar before?

21. How did you hear about this survey?

22. Are you Hispanic or Latino?

23. Which of the following best describes your race/ethnicity?

24. What is your age?

25. Would you say your annual household income is:

26. What is the highest level of school you have completed or the highest degree you have received?

27. Do you have any parting thoughts you would like to share?

28. Would you like to be entered to win one of six (6) $50 gift cards?