Southwest Michigan Water Quality Survey

Please complete the following survey about water issues in Berrien and Cass Counties. This survey is being conducted to measure any increase in awareness of how everyday activities contribute to water pollution in local streams, rivers, lakes and Lake Michigan. Please answer the questions below:

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* 1. Do you think the quality of water in lakes, rivers, and streams in the community where you live is:

Getting much worse

Getting somewhat worse

Staying the same

Getting somewhat better

Getting much better

Don’t know

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* 2. How much do you think the way you maintain your home (ex. lawn care, trash disposal, pet care) affects the quality of water in the lakes and streams in the community where you live? (choose one)

Great effect

Moderate effect

Little effect

No effect

Don’t know

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* 3. Where do you think most stormwater (rainwater) goes after it enters a storm drain or roadside ditch in your community? (choose one)

Directly to lakes and streams without treatment

To lakes and streams after receiving some treatment

To a wastewater treatment plant

Don’t know

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* 4. During the past year, which one of the following do you think contributed the most pollution to the lakes, rivers, and streams in the community where you live? (choose one)

Wastewater treatment plant discharges

Factories/industrial discharges

Polluted runoff from roads, parking lots and lawns into storm drains and ditches

Leaking or failing septic systems

Polluted runoff from construction sites

Polluted runoff from agricultural fields

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* 5. Which one of the following best describes the location where you live? (choose one)

I live near a watershed

I live in a watershed

I don’t live in a watershed

Don’t know/I’m not familiar with the term “watershed”

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* 6. What is the name of the closest river/stream or lake to your home?

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* 7. Is your primary residence in Michigan?

Yes

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* 8. In what county is your home located in Michigan?

Berrien County

Cass County

Van Buren County

Not applicable

Other (please specify)

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* 9. What city, village or township do you live in?

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* 10. The best place to wash your car and not impact the local water is: (choose one)

On the street by the storm sewer

On your lawn

At the commercial car wash

In a parking lot

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* 11. Do you have a septic system at your home? (choose one)

Yes (please answer the following question)

I don’t know

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* 12. If you selected yes to question 11, has your household had your septic system checked or serviced during the past five years? (choose one)

Yes

Don’t know

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* 13. Where does your household typically dispose of materials, such as old oil/fluids from your vehicle, batteries, fertilizers, pesticides, paints, and other household hazardous wastes? (choose one)

On the ground

With my regular trash

At a scheduled community collection site or facility that accepts these materials

I keep it in a container at my home

Down a storm drain or roadside ditch

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* 14. What does your household (or your lawn service) typically do with your grass clippings and/ or fallen leaves? (choose all that apply)

Leave them on the lawn/mulch into lawn

Compost them in your yard

Sweep them into the street or into a roadside ditch/stream/wetland

Curbside pickup by community

I do not have a yard

Other (please specify)

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* 15. What are the benefits of rain gardens or green infrastructure? (choose all that apply)

Helps clean the stormwater as it is filtered through the soil

Promotes groundwater replenishment in soil conditions that allow for infiltration

Native plants used in rain gardens promote native habitat and provide a food source for hummingbirds, butterflies, and honey bees

Reduces the amount of pollutants from roofs and hardscape from draining into local creeks

Slows stormwater runoff; decreasing peak storm water flows and therefore reducing ditch/stream erosion

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* 16. Is protecting the area rivers and lakes important to you?

Yes

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* 17. What is the most significant water related issue for you?

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* 18. What is the most significant water related issue for your community?

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey!

Always reports spills, environmental emergencies, and illegal dumping by calling the 24/7 PEAS hotline at:
800-292-4706.

For more information about water quality visit: www.letskeepitblue.org