Carolina Clear survey of Midlands residents highlights water quality issues

Published: February 16, 2010

Carolina Clear image by: Carolina Clear

COLUMBIA — Survey results by Clemson University’s Carolina Clear stormwater pollution and awareness program show that three of four Midlands residents recognize that stormwater is not treated before it reaches rivers, lakes and streams, yet only about one in 10 said they were “very familiar” with their county’s ordinances that are designed to protect water quality.

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

Nearly all respondents said they never disposed of oil, paint or other chemicals, or dumped grass clippings down storm drains or into backyard creeks, and that Midlands residents have a basic level of understanding about the various causes of poor water quality.

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 the 73 municipalities and counties in the state to 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 and its regional consortia — the Richland Countywide Stormwater Consortium and the Lexington Countywide Stormwater Consortium — and officials across the Midlands 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:

• One in three gave the correct definition of a watershed

• One in three said they “hardly ever” or “never” pick up after their pets

• 44 percent do know the name of the waterbody that receives their household runoff

The survey in the Midlands was one of four conducted around the state. Other regions surveyed were Horry and Georgetown counties, the Pee Dee 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.