Carolina Clear survey of Pee Dee residents highlights water quality issues

Published: February 16, 2010

Carolina Clear image by: Carolina Clear

FLORENCE — Survey results by Clemson University’s Carolina Clear stormwater pollution and awareness program show that two-thirds of residents in the Pee Dee region recognize that stormwater is not treated before it reaches rivers, lakes, streams and beaches, yet one in five said they “disagree” that pet waste is a source of pollution in local waterbodies. 

The survey results highlight how local residents view stormwater issues in the area, and their attitudes, knowledge and behaviors related to the environment.

The survey also found that almost all Pee Dee residents believe that water resources are important to their quality of life and livelihood, but more than half could not name the local water body that receives runoff from their homes.

The Environmental Protection Agency emphasizes public education as a fundamental component in reducing stormwater runoff pollution. The EPA and the state of South Carolina require that 73 municipalities and counties in the state educate and involve the public as part of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System stormwater permit program.

Carolina Clear’s goal is to minimize polluted stormwater runoff by educating the general public, youth, builders, developers, homeowners and government officials about how to keep water in the state’s streams, rivers and basins as clean as possible, said Katie Giacalone, Carolina Clear regional coordinator and natural resources agent.

“The results of these surveys will help Carolina Clear, the Florence Darlington Stormwater Consortium and officials across the Pee Dee identify the messages and education programs that will most benefit local residents and, hopefully, the local environment” Giacalone said.

“The end game here is to identify behaviors that each of us easily can modify to better protect our important natural resources for future generations,” she said. 

The survey also found:

• 46 percent are very concerned about pollution and the environmental quality of local streams and waterways

• 35 percent have not had their septic tanks pumped or inspected in the last five years

• 45 percent “hardly ever” or “never” pick up after their pets

The survey in the Pee Dee region was one of four conducted around the state. Other regions surveyed were Horry and Georgetown counties, the Midlands and the Charleston area. Full reports of the surveys’ findings are available on Carolina Clear’s Web site at http://www.carolinaclear.clemson.edu/surveys.html.

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About the survey
Carolina Clear and the Clemson University Restoration Institute contracted with researchers from Clemson University’s sociology and anthropology department and the School of Computing to conduct a telephone survey of residents of Horry and Georgetown counties. 

The population of these counties is such that a sample of 385 to 400 respondents would permit estimates of the survey results with a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent at a 95 percent confidence level. The survey was conducted from late May to early July 2009. Data were collected from 398 residents across zip codes in the two counties.

Carolina Clear
Carolina Clear is a stormwater education and awareness program of the Clemson University Restoration Institute and the Center for Watershed Excellence. The program’s goal is to minimize polluted stormwater runoff by educating the general public, youth, builders, developers, homeowners and government officials about how they can keep water in the state’s streams, rivers and basins as clean as possible.