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The “River IQ” study, a recent poll commissioned
by the National Geographic Society, found that protecting and
conserving rivers was important for 98 percent of the respondents.
That was the good news. On the other hand, only 15 percent
of the respondents knew that the greatest source of river pollution
comes from the actions of individuals in the watershed.
Forty-four percent of those polled incorrectly identified industrial
sources as the biggest source of water pollution, and only one
third correctly identified land use and urban sprawl as the
biggest culprit. The national telephone poll included 500 adults
and 250 children.
The study was part of “Geography Action! Rivers 2001,”
a National Geographic program to involve students, teachers,
families, and communities in projects aimed at preserving rivers
and watersheds and conserving water. The goal is to encourage
Americans to become responsible river stewards, according to
John Fahey, president of the National Geographic Society.
A key finding of the study was the respondents’ lack of
awareness about waterways and their interconnectedness and that
individual and collective actions have a profound effect on
the health of rivers.
Nearly 9 out of 10 respondents were unfamiliar with the
term nonpoint source pollution, and almost half incorrectly
thought water that goes down storm drains is treated at water
treatment plants.
Asked how large an oil slick is created by dumping a quart
of oil down a storm drain, almost half said 100 feet or less.
The actual figure is two acres or 6,000 square feet.
The poll found respondents are more likely to get involved
when it becomes a family project. Although one in five respondents
was very interested in becoming an active river advocate and
two-thirds were interested in becoming more involved in conserving
and protecting rivers, more than half said they did not have
time to get involved and a third lacked information about how
to help.
If you are interesting in learning how to become a volunteer
stream monitor, how to conduct a storm drain stenciling community
education program in your neighborhood, or how to do a small
scale stream bank stabilization project on your own property,
please contact
NVSWCD or call 703-324-1460. You will be directed to the
appropriate staff member who can help you.
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