Divergent Drinking Water Perceptions in the Annapolis Valley

Abstract

Nonpoint water pollution sources, such as household septic systems, can contribute to reduced water quality. In the Annapolis Valley an ongoing educational campaign has sought to inform households about this threat and to change their behaviour. A survey of households in this rural valley finds that most households are not that concerned either about quality issues or contamination risks. Among those that do have concerns, most worry only about one dimension, water quality or contamination risk. As such, households that are not satisfied with their drinking water quality cannot be expected to support measures aimed at reducing contamination risk. Together with the overall low level of concern, these results suggest that Annapolis Valley residents are unlikely to support policy reforms aimed at reducing contamination risk if those reforms are paid for locally. © 2007, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.