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Countywide Poll Uncovers Widespread Concern Over Orange County's Water Supply
70% of County Voters Support Seawater Desalination, Willing to Pay More to Make Seawater Desalination Part of Their Water Supply
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IRVINE, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 10/01/08 -- Today the Orange County Business Council and theLos Angeles/Orange County Building Trades Council released the results of ajointly sponsored public opinion survey measuring Orange County residents'attitudes toward the county's water supply. The poll of registered votersuncovered widespread concern about water reliability and revealed broadsupport for tapping the Pacific Ocean as one way to address the county andregion's water shortages.
The countywide telephone survey conducted the week of September 22nd demonstrated the public is attune to Orange County's water supply crisisas county officials scramble to prepare for additional cuts to the county'simported water supply (Click here to view the Memorandum:http://media.marketwire.com/attachments/200810/471678_OCBC-OCBTCWATERPOLLMEMO.doc).
Some of the key findings from the survey include:
-- 87% of respondents believe that Orange County needs new sources of fresh water.-- 72% of respondents believe that seawater desalination is a good idea.-- 71% believe that local water agencies should add desalinated seawater to their overall water portfolio.-- 61% said would pay a few dollars more on their monthly water bill for high quality desalinated water that is drought-proof and reliable.
"Orange County residents overwhelmingly support innovative solutions toimprove water reliability," said Lucy Dunn, President of the Orange CountyBusiness Council. "The state has already approved one seawater desalinationplant for San Diego County; now Orange County must also ensure a local,drought-proof water supply for our residents and businesses. We urge stateand local officials to move quickly and approve the proposed DesalinationFacility in Huntington Beach," she said.
"Typically, water supply is not the first issue people think about whenthey wake up in the morning, but that's starting to change. If clean,fresh water were not available, it would be the only issue people thinkabout," commented Richard Slawson, President of the Los Angeles/OrangeCounty Building Trades Council. "Our members support seawater desalinationbecause it has proven to be an environmentally responsible way to ensurethe economy is strong and good-paying jobs are created," he said.
The public opinion survey was conducted September 23-25 and included a 500person sample of Orange County registered voters. The survey's margin oferror is +/- 4.4%.
"OCBC is a strong advocate for increased investment in infrastructure,"added Lucy Dunn. "Enhancing the county's Infrastructure and supportinginnovation is vital to the foundation of a favorable business climate andthe creation of good-paying jobs. OCBC is proud to partner with theBuilding Trades Council on this important research toward meeting theseworthy goals."
Fast Facts on Water in Southern California:
-- 2007 was the driest year ever recorded in Southern California.-- 75 percent of the state's precipitation falls north of Sacramento, yet 75 percent of demand is south of that point.-- About 30 percent of Southern California's overall water supply flows through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.-- The 1976-77 drought cost California $6.5 billion in today's dollars. The 1990-91 drought saw $2 billion in losses.
CONTACT:Robb KorinkeDirector of Communications949.794.7225
Some of the key findings from the survey include:
-- 87% of respondents believe that Orange County needs new sources of fresh water.-- 72% of respondents believe that seawater desalination is a good idea.-- 71% believe that local water agencies should add desalinated seawater to their overall water portfolio.-- 61% said would pay a few dollars more on their monthly water bill for high quality desalinated water that is drought-proof and reliable.
"Orange County residents overwhelmingly support innovative solutions toimprove water reliability," said Lucy Dunn, President of the Orange CountyBusiness Council. "The state has already approved one seawater desalinationplant for San Diego County; now Orange County must also ensure a local,drought-proof water supply for our residents and businesses. We urge stateand local officials to move quickly and approve the proposed DesalinationFacility in Huntington Beach," she said.
"Typically, water supply is not the first issue people think about whenthey wake up in the morning, but that's starting to change. If clean,fresh water were not available, it would be the only issue people thinkabout," commented Richard Slawson, President of the Los Angeles/OrangeCounty Building Trades Council. "Our members support seawater desalinationbecause it has proven to be an environmentally responsible way to ensurethe economy is strong and good-paying jobs are created," he said.
The public opinion survey was conducted September 23-25 and included a 500person sample of Orange County registered voters. The survey's margin oferror is +/- 4.4%.
"OCBC is a strong advocate for increased investment in infrastructure,"added Lucy Dunn. "Enhancing the county's Infrastructure and supportinginnovation is vital to the foundation of a favorable business climate andthe creation of good-paying jobs. OCBC is proud to partner with theBuilding Trades Council on this important research toward meeting theseworthy goals."
Fast Facts on Water in Southern California:
-- 2007 was the driest year ever recorded in Southern California.-- 75 percent of the state's precipitation falls north of Sacramento, yet 75 percent of demand is south of that point.-- About 30 percent of Southern California's overall water supply flows through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.-- The 1976-77 drought cost California $6.5 billion in today's dollars. The 1990-91 drought saw $2 billion in losses.
CONTACT:Robb KorinkeDirector of Communications949.794.7225
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