Survey Results

The City of San José Environmental Services Department conducted a telephone survey of adult residents living in the San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant (Plant) service area between July 28 and August 8, 2008. The survey explored residents' attitudes and Plant knowledge levels.

The survey sample size was 1,200 residents to allow for comparison between the Plant service area cities.  The study's margin of error is plus or minus 2.8 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.  These percentages conclude that if this survey were to be repeated exactly as it was originally conducted, then 95 out of 100 times the responses from the sample (expressed as proportions) would be within 2.8 percent of the actual population proportions.  The margins of error for differences by city are larger. 

The random-digit-dial sampling methodology was used, so that all adults in the study area with a working residential telephone number had an equal chance of being interviewed.  Eight percent of the responses came from wireless telephone numbers.

A phone survey results summary is listed below:

Residents are concerned about Bay water quality, but not about the Plant - Over 55 percent rated Bay pollution, salt marsh habitat, and accumulating toxics in food chain as very or somewhat serious issues. Yet only 28 percent ranked the Plant's condition as very or somewhat serious. This is not unexpected news, as infrastructure problems at the Plant have not yet been publicized.

The public is unaware of two water systems, causing polluting behaviors to occur - Almost half of respondents didn't know where water from bathtubs, sinks, and toilets goes or whether sewage was treated, and think that storm runoff goes into a sanitary system. Fully 9 percent of respondents said that in 2007, they emptied medicines down the sink or toilet; 7 percent flushed away paint; and 1 percent flushed away motor oil or anti-freeze. These findings suggest the need for greater public education of the systems and pollution prevention.

The public is unaware of the Plant, but neighborly relations appear okay - Slightly more than 20 percent of residents knew of the Plant's location or that it discharges into the Bay. Yet 41 percent of residents seem to think the Plant is a good neighbor and only 13 percent considered the Plant to be a bad neighbor.

Residents value spill prevention and, if educated, support improvements - Of 13 issues posed for inclusion in the Plant Master Plan, about 80 percent indicated "preventing sewage spills" and "preventing sewage backups" deserve high priority. When respondents heard that the Plant is over 50 years old, it appeared to help associate improvements with effective operations.

Wetlands protection is supported; development is opposed - Residents were asked to consider six possible uses on the Plant bufferlands. Using the land "as an environmental preserve to protect wetlands" earned the strongest support (65 percent), and using the land for housing or commercial development earned the strongest opposition (63 percent). On the point of whether land should be leased or sold, only 28 percent said they would support this, and 44 percent said they would oppose it - even if it "generated enough money to reduce the need for future sewage fee increases."

Sewage assessment cost is largely okay - 45 percent say the cost of their sewer service is about right and another 36 percent are unsure if it is too high or too low.

Review the complete phone survey results here.