Water Quantity Perceptions in Northwestern North Carolina: Comparing College Student and Public Survey Responses

Understanding behaviors and perceptions regarding water quantity through carefully designed research is a critical component in producing more effective water management policies. Attitudes and perceptions among young people are understudied in the existing pool of water resource research. This study compared perceptions about water quantity between undergraduate college students at Appalachian State University (ASU) and respondents from two surrounding counties in Northwestern North Carolina. Conservation perspectives, behaviors, and concerns were compared between the two samples. Results indicate that respondents in the public sample expressed higher levels of concern about the water supply but lower agreement with regulatory actions like water metering, water usage restrictions, and fee-assessments during droughts. Respondents in the student sample were more likely to agree with government restrictions and policies that regulate water usage and indicated a stronger willingness to pay for water conservation measures. Both samples expressed moderate levels of concern about water conservation and future water quantity.