Health Canada and the Canadian Water Network are interested in investigating individual and community behaviours, attitudes and perceptions that impact improvements to the provision of safe drinking water in small, rural and remote communities across Canada. Drinking water systems in these types of communities are often at particular risk due to limited financial and operational capacity. Adopting improvements to and investing in small drinking water systems requires community support which can be affected by behaviours and attitudes of the various including operators, decision-makers and community members. A specific aspect of this study will be comparing attitudes, perceptions and behaviours between on-reserve (First Nations) and off-reserve communities. As a first step in looking at this issue, a literature search is being conducted to identify previous and current research in this field from Canada and the United States. The results of the literature search will provide an initial identification of the drivers and barriers that affect community support for investment in small drinking water systems as well as potential solutions. The literature search will also serve as a foundation for the preparation of materials for focus groups. If you are involved in or aware of any previous or current research examining these types of issues, please contact Nancy Gehlen, Health Canada ([email protected]).
Nancy Gehlen
A/Section Head/Chef de section interimaire
Water Policy & Outreach /
Politiques et sensibilisation pour l'eau
Water, Air & Climate Change Bureau/
Bureau de l'eau, de l'air et du changement climatique
Health Canada/Santé Canada
E-mail/Courriel: [email protected]
Tel: 613.954.8751
Fax: 613.952.2574
Nancy,
In response to the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Amendments, Small Systems Capacity Development was a major issue that State Drinking Water Programs were required to address during the late 1990s in the US. The information found on this EPA website address many of the issues that concern you.
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/smallsystems/
Specifically, the final report by the National Drinking Water Advisory Council Small Systems Implementation Working Group http://www.epa.gov/safewater/smallsystems/pdfs/final_wg_report.pdf
go to page 12 of this report for the details as briefly presented below:
2.0 PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATION
Finding Public awareness and education are essential tools of water-system capacity development. A well-informed public can support a water system and its goals. Water systems can benefit by engaging the public through various outreach and educational efforts. Public awareness and education programs can be supported and enhanced through resource development and technical assistance.
Conclusions
2A An aware and informed public plays an important role in water-system capacity development. Water systems should actively inform the public and other stakeholders about drinking water issues and involve them in decision making processes.
2B Building public awareness can be accomplished through collaboration among water systems, State and Federal regulatory agencies, industry associations, and technical-assistance providers. Water systems and governmental agencies should send a clear and consistent message to the public. Coordination can help avoid duplication or contradiction, and reinforce the message.
2C Strategies to improve water-system capacity to inform and engage customers are needed. Water systems should recognize that members of the public are principal water system stakeholders. Various strategies can be developed to help water systems communicate with customers and involve them in capacity development efforts.
Recommendations to EPA
2.1 EPA should continue public awareness activities.
Good luck!
George A. Zoto, Ph.D.
Bureau of Resource Protection
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
973 Iyannough Road (Route 132)
Hyannis, MA 02601
508-771-6055
Fax: 508-771-6155