PERCEPTIONS OF FRESH-WATER

From our review of the literature we conclude the following: Most peop le view water quality problems as serious and getting worse. Water qua lity ranks high among environmental concerns, but lags behind concern for the economy, crime, and drugs. As water quality is not an issue in most towns, people tend to think that serious water problems are some where else. Although most people are not well informed about threats t o water quality, their concerns are closely linked to perceived risks of hazardous wastes. They view industry as the major culprit in water pollution and are reluctant to acknowledge that their own activities t hreaten water quality. Easterners care about water quantity only durin g drought periods; Westerners are increasingly worried, but most know little about water use and policy. Westerners generally have a proprie tary view of water, would adopt voluntary conservation measures, and i ncreasingly favor preservation of the remaining wild and scenic areas over development.