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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, Aug. 1, 2008 |
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Water Identified Among Top Environmental Issues For ColoradoDENVER - A recent survey for the Water Quality Control Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will help guide future policy-making and public outreach efforts regarding water issues in the state. While three-quarters of Coloradans surveyed said the quality of water in lakes, rivers and streams as a source of drinking water is very important to them, about a third of Coloradans did not know where storm or rainwater runoff goes when it enters a storm drain in their community. These findings and many others were identified in the survey to obtain baseline information on what people know about sources of water pollution, how people learn about water quality issues and what are the best ways to inform and educate the public about water quality issues. The survey is a collaboration of the Water Quality Control Division, the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture, Colorado State University, Nonpoint Source Colorado and the city of Boulder’s Keep It Clean Partnership. The survey of 1,929 residents was paid for by $50,000 from the Nonpoint Source Management program of the state’s Water Quality Control Division, along with $45,000 from the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture, a nonprofit organization that conducts statewide education and outreach activities. The survey was conducted by Corona Research. “The Water Quality Control Division and our survey partners hope to use information from the survey findings to better inform the public about water quality issues facing the state,” said Steve Gunderson, director of the division. “Coloradans are fortunate to live at the headwaters of many streams and rivers, so we generally enjoy clean drinking water. But as the state continues to grow, we need to work together to help protect streams, lakes and rivers for generations to come.” In the survey, residents said water (34 percent) and air pollution (35 percent) are the most important environmental issues facing the state. Sixty-eight percent said water pollution was one of the two most important issues to Coloradans. The entire 343-page survey findings can be found at www.npscolorado.com. The survey also found that nearly all Coloradoans agree their actions can affect water quality in downstream areas (60 percent strongly agreed, 28 percent somewhat agreed). “We are very pleased that so many Coloradans place a high value on preserving our air and water quality,” added Gunderson. “Knowing the public’s priorities can help direct us in planning and policy efforts to protect the things Coloradans value.” ---30--- |
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