KLW Community Survey Results
In order to assess stakeholder opinions and knowledge of key watershed issues and to evaluate the impact of a watershed management plan for Kingston Lake, a representative survey was conducted by mail in 2005. The survey covered five main areas:
Round the Fourth Festival
- CONCERN about local water quality, wildlife habitat and flooding risk
- PERCEPTIONS of CAUSES of water quality decline, habitat loss and increased flooding risk
- VALUE placed on clean water and watershed health
- PERSONAL PRACTICES
- Willingness to CHANGE by taking personal action or supporting local policy changes
The survey was sent to two random, representative groups—1200 people in the Kingston Lake watershed and 1200 people in a demographically similar part of Horry County. The survey achieved a return rate of 37.4%. The groups will be re-surveyed in 2009.
The survey revealed that most respondents believe that clean water is very important for drinking, general environmental health and for wildlife. The survey also revealed that most respondents do believe that common non-point causes of pollution, such as construction sites, littering, and lawn chemicals, have a moderate or serious impact on water quality and that growth and development will further degrade water quality. There was a low willingness to pay for programs that reduce pollution, but a higher willingness to take personal actions to reduce pollution contributions.
