Factors Affecting Perceptions of Water Quality and Risk

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Amanda Henderson and Kimberly Ratliff.
Dr. Michael Seipel, Faculty Mentor, 1999.

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The recent increase in number of confinement livestock production facilities has led to increased concern about their environmental impacts, particularly on water quality. Eight hundred residents of four rural Missouri counties were surveyed about their perceptions of water quality in the area in which they live. Preliminary data (n=500) indicate that while a majority of respondents felt that the quality of drinking water and area lakes and streams was about the same as in 1990, more were concerned about declining quality of lakes and streams than of the drinking water used at their home. Of seven risk factors, respondents perceived the highest risk to drinking water from farm pesticides (28% rating the risk high or very high) and livestock manure/waste (19% high or very high). In general, younger respondents, female respondents, those with younger children, and those who regularly experienced annoying livestock odors at their home perceived higher risk.