Protecting Water Quality Important to Conewago Landowners

Earlier this year, residents in the Conewago Creek watershed received surveys asking about their management practices and perceptions of water quality in Conewago Creek, Susquehanna River, and Chesapeake Bay. Results of this survey are currently being analyzed and will be used by the Conewago Initiative’s Project Advisory Team to develop partnerships and educational efforts to improve water quality in the Watershed.

The survey sought to describe landowners in the watershed and their current attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and knowledge toward clean water, and identify opportunities for various programs and offerings by Initiative partners. The survey was mailed to a list of 190 farmers and 1500 randomly sampled non-farm landowners in the watershed between February and May of 2011. Completed and returned surveys resulted in a response rate of 51% from farmers and 40% from non-farmers.

Some preliminary results from the survey:

Water quality is described as worse in the Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River than the Conewago Creek. Farmers are split on their views on water quality in the Conewago Creek; non-farmers generally see the water quality in the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay as worse than farmers see it.

34% of farmers and 28% of non-farmers rated water quality in Conewago Creek as poor/fair, while 44% of farmers and 35% of non-farmers rated it as good/excellent.

47% of farmers and 52% of non-farmers rated water quality in the Susquehanna River as poor/fair, while 26% of farmers and 16% of non-farmers rated it as good/excellent.

Finally, 41% of farmers and 46% of non-farmers rated water quality in the Chesapeake Bay as poor/fair while only 19% farmers and 13% of non-farmers rated it as good/excellent.

Concern about water quality was relatively high, and equal across all groups and water bodies. About 80% of farmers and non-farmers described their level of concern as somewhat or very concerned for the Conewago Creek, Susquehanna River, and Chesapeake Bay.

Results showed a high conservation ethic among Conewago landowners. 91% of farmers and 79% of non-farmers feel it is their personal responsibility to help protect water quality. 87% of farmers and 78% of non-farmers believe that using the recommended conservation practices improve water quality, while only 11% of farmers and 14% of non-farmers feel such practices have little impact.

Results are still being analyzed, and complete reports will be made available on the Initiative’s website later this fall.