The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

3027.0: Monday, November 11, 2002 - Board 4

Abstract #36970

Public knowledge and perception on wastewater reuse and biosolids recycling

Carolyn H. Robinson, PhD, MPH, RN, College of Nursing, University of Tennessee, 1200 Volunteer Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37996, 865-974-7616, huffrobinson@yahoo.com and Kevin G. Robinson, PhD, MSPH, Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, 219A Perkins Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996.

There have been a number of studies, experiences, reports and training programs about successful and non-successful efforts to gain and maintain public acceptance of reclaimed water and biosolids uses. Although barriers have been identified, there has been no thorough assessment of the various obstacles to gaining widespread public acceptance of wastewater reuse and biosolids recycling, nor has a large representative sample of the public been studied regarding this issue. The overall goal of this project is to evaluate how public knowledge and perceptions relate to attitudes concerning water reuse and biosolids recycling. This study will develop and employ a telephone survey instrument to gauge public knowledge, understanding and opinion such that factors which impact public perception and acceptance of reclaimed water reuse and biosolids recycling can be identified. Relationships among gender, age, race and socioeconomic status and how these subsets perceive waste management issues will be evaluated. Specifically, the project team anticipates completing at least 300 telephone interviews in the course of this inquiry. Random digit dialing software and computer assisted telephone interview (CATI) software will be used to facilitate the sampling and interview process. Data collected for this project will be subjected to multivariate analysis that maximizes the utility of the research. The final product of the proposed research will be a reliable survey instrument and an assessment of public knowledge, perceptions and concerns from multiple subsets of a local community relative to wastewater and biosolids reuse.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant(learner) in this session will be able to

Keywords: Environment,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Topics in Environmental Health

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA