According to a recent study conducted by Market Data Research Corp. of Tacoma, Kitsap residents, by over a two to one margin, rank water pollution as their top environmental concern. The extensive phone survey was conducted for a consortium of local government and military agencies looking to find the most effective way to develop stormwater education programs.

The consortium includes representatives from Kitsap County the cities of Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Port Orchard, and Poulsbo, Kitsap Conservation District, Bremerton-Kitsap County, Health District, Naval Submarine Base Bangor, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport, Navy, Region Northwest, and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. It included 50 respondents from each of the incorporated cities, 50 military respondents, and 150 residents who live in unincorporated Kitsap County.

“The survey gives us a good look at what people already know, and how to target our efforts to increase knowledge about other elements of surface and stormwater,” said Pat Kirschbaum of Kitsap County Public Works.

The consortium will use the survey results to develop programs that provide residents with additional resources to help them understand and reduce their contribution to water pollution problems.

For more information about stormwater runoff and how you can help, call The Open Line at (360) 337-5777.