North Carolina Stormwater Survey Finds Most Unaware Stormwater Not Treated

RALEIGH – What do you really know about stormwater? How about your neighbor? North Carolina’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources thinks the answers are very import for two reasons. First, polluted stormwater runoff is the largest source of water pollution in North Carolina and the nation. Second, the number one source of stormwater pollution is people going about their daily business. Most have no idea they are polluting their local water supply.

East Carolina University’s Survey center administered the survey in August and September. Staff placed more than 11,000 calls to get 1,000 completed surveys; a large enough number that the findings have a 95 percent confidence level. The results were a mix of the expected and the unexpected.

1. • Most of us rate water quality as ‘good’ (42.4 percent), followed by ‘fair.’ (39.4 percent)








2. • Most of us do not know storm water receives no treatment before storm drains carry it directly to the nearest creek, stream or river. (Only 37.6 percent got this one right.)








3. • Most of us (54.2 percent) do not test our soil to determine its needs before applying fertilizer.








4. • Some of us (5.8 percent) apply fertilizer monthly. (which is way too much)








5. • Some 40 percent of us wash our own vehicles, but more than one-third wash in the driveway.








6. • Only one-fifth change their own oil, but 12 percent of them throw used oil in the grass.








7. • Most pet walkers do not ‘scoop the poop’ but women scoop more than men.

Survey results are fun to read and talk about, but DENR’s purpose is to produce and deliver educational materials to the groups that need them most. The survey data identifies groups and other demographic data such as income, age and education so messages can be tailored to different groups’ needs.

Protecting water quality through education is not just desirable; many N.C. communities are mandated to do so by the federal government. The U.S. EPA requires communities with certain sizes, growth rates and locations to receive stormwater permits. In addition to education, the permits require other activities like tracking illicit discharges (straight piping) and controlling runoff from construction sites. This survey’s focus was outreach and education.

It won’t take long to learn if the messages get through. The survey will be conducted again in 2006 and 2007. If scores improve, we’ll have a better-educated state. We may even have better water quality, but that’s not guaranteed. Knowing what’s right and actually doing it are two different things. Before state residents make changes, they need good reasons. Since most don’t know their actions can harm local water, that’s a good place to start.

North Carolina Stormwater Survey Finds Most Unaware Stormwater Not Treated

RALEIGH – What do you really know about stormwater? How about your neighbor? North Carolina’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources thinks the answers are very import for two reasons. First, polluted stormwater runoff is the largest source of water pollution in North Carolina and the nation. Second, the number one source of stormwater pollution is people going about their daily business. Most have no idea they are polluting their local water supply.

East Carolina University’s Survey center administered the survey in August and September. Staff placed more than 11,000 calls to get 1,000 completed surveys; a large enough number that the findings have a 95 percent confidence level. The results were a mix of the expected and the unexpected.

1. • Most of us rate water quality as ‘good’ (42.4 percent), followed by ‘fair.’ (39.4 percent)








2. • Most of us do not know storm water receives no treatment before storm drains carry it directly to the nearest creek, stream or river. (Only 37.6 percent got this one right.)








3. • Most of us (54.2 percent) do not test our soil to determine its needs before applying fertilizer.








4. • Some of us (5.8 percent) apply fertilizer monthly. (which is way too much)








5. • Some 40 percent of us wash our own vehicles, but more than one-third wash in the driveway.








6. • Only one-fifth change their own oil, but 12 percent of them throw used oil in the grass.








7. • Most pet walkers do not ‘scoop the poop’ but women scoop more than men.

Survey results are fun to read and talk about, but DENR’s purpose is to produce and deliver educational materials to the groups that need them most. The survey data identifies groups and other demographic data such as income, age and education so messages can be tailored to different groups’ needs.

Protecting water quality through education is not just desirable; many N.C. communities are mandated to do so by the federal government. The U.S. EPA requires communities with certain sizes, growth rates and locations to receive stormwater permits. In addition to education, the permits require other activities like tracking illicit discharges (straight piping) and controlling runoff from construction sites. This survey’s focus was outreach and education.

It won’t take long to learn if the messages get through. The survey will be conducted again in 2006 and 2007. If scores improve, we’ll have a better-educated state. We may even have better water quality, but that’s not guaranteed. Knowing what’s right and actually doing it are two different things. Before state residents make changes, they need good reasons. Since most don’t know their actions can harm local water, that’s a good place to start.