SAN JOSE — As the dry summer approaches, 79 percent of Californians plan to conserve water, motivated more by helping the environment and their pocketbooks than any government mandate, according to a recent survey released by San Jose State University.
As the state heads into summer, the findings can help water districts decide how to best urge people to conserve. Throughout the Bay Area, water districts are considering raising rates, appointing water cops, and launching education campaigns.
"A request from local governments is not compelling for people," said Melinda Jackson, the research director of San Jose State's Survey and Policy Research Institute, which ran the survey. "But appealing to people's better nature can be effective."
Environmental concerns and saving money were the strongest motivators, with 64 percent and 60 percent of people, respectively, saying they were very important factors in their decision. Only 45 percent cited local government requests as important factors behind conservation.
To encourage people to take extra steps to conserve, Jackson believes local water providers should use concrete examples of how their water use affects the environment.
Susan Siravo, the water district's spokeswoman said she believes the survey's finding that 78 percent of people are aware of the state drought bodes well for this summer's planned water use reduction.
"It's encouraging to know people are aware of what's happening to our water systems and are willing to conserve," Siravo saidThe San Jose State researchers surveyed 408 Californians, in English and Spanish, by phone from March 30 to April 10. The survey's margin of error was 4.9 percent.
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