Property Owner Survey Results

December 2000

Q1. What environmental issue do you consider to be the most important locally?

Total Percent
Water pollution 94 28.8
Declining salmon runs 76 23.3
Air pollution 72 22.1
Habitat destruction 68 20.9
Destruction of wetlands 47 14.4
None 17 5.2
Other 14 4.3
No response 11 3.3
Gave more than one response 91 27.0

Back to top

Q2. Which of the following activities in your own neighborhood do you think contributes to water pollution?

Total Percent
Applying garden pesticides 105 53
Improper oil disposal 104 52
Fertilizing Lawns 89 45
Improper disposal of household cleaners 84 42
Leaving pet waste on lawn 71 36
Driving cars 57 29
Washing cars in the street 51 26
Other 21 11
All of the above 103 30
None of the above 27 8
No response 7 2

Back to top

Q3.A I discuss environmental issues with my neighbors/ friends:

Total Percent
Often 36 11
Sometimes 206 61
Never 86 26
No Response 9 3
Back to top

Q3.B The City of Bremerton does a good job managing the Wastewater and Stormwater Utilities.

Total Percent
Strongly Agree 24 7
Agree 94 28
Neutral 154 46
Disagree 41 12
Strongly Disagree 16 5
No Response 8 2

Back to top

Q3.C The City of Bremerton handles environmental issues responsibly.

Total Percent
Strongly Agree 23 7
Agree 81 24
Neutral 164 49
Disagree 41 12
Strongly Disagree 11 3
No Response 17 5

Back to top

Q4. Do you know where the water from the sinks, toilets and shower in your home or business go?

Total Percent
Yes, the sewer pipes and wastewater treatment plant 277 81
No, I don't know 38 11
Yes, the stormwater pipes 13 4
Yes, on-site septic tank 13 4
Yes, the drinking water pipes 2 1
No response 1 0

Back to top

Q5. Which of these should not go down any of your household drains? Check all that apply:

Total Percent
Motor oil 324 96
Antifreeze 322 96
Paint thinner 319 95
Paint 314 93
Grease 283 84
Pet waste 201 60
Human Waste 84 25
Food products 69 20
Dishwater/ clothes washer water 23 7
No response 2 1

Back to top

Q6. What causes the Bremerton sewer system to overflow into the bay? Check all that apply:

Total Percent
Lack of properly constructed stormwater systems 172 52
Poor operation of the wastewater treatment plant 89 27
Poor operation of the sewage collection system 89 27
Historical construction of sewer systems 144 43
Stormwater from the roofs, driveways & yard drains of homes 111 33
Cracks in the sewer pipes 64 19
I don't know 88 26
No response 4 1

Back to top

Q7. Do you recall having seen or heard any information in the last 6 months about Bremerton's combined sewer overflows, also known as CSOs?

Total Percent
Yes 148 44
No 150 45
I don't know 38 11
No response 1 0

Back to top

Q8. Where did you see or hear information about Bremerton's CSOs? Check all that apply:

Total Percent
TV 30 9
Newspaper 153 45
Radio 13 4
Brochure 30 9
Information in water/ sewer bill 55 16
Bus billboard 0 0
City Council Meeting 19 6
District Council Meeting 7 2
Website 3 1
Other 27 8
No Response 16 5

Back to top

Q9. Lets say that your home or business was identified to be connected so that the rainwater from roof, driveway and yard drains are piped directly into the City's sewer pipes. What would be the best way to encourage you to fix your system so that this runoff was redirected to the storm pipes?

Total Percent
In-person technical assistance from City staff 111 33
The City provides written and video instructions for me to do the work 75 22
Assistance from a local community group to do the work 69 20
Low-interest loan so I can afford to do the work 93 28
I would not disconnect from the sewer system no matter what 32 9
Have neighborhood meeting to learn more about it 70 21
Other 59 18
No Response 27 8

Back to top

Q10. Putting stormwater in its proper place will result in reduced sewage overflows into the bay and improve the environment. How would you support this effort?

Total Percent
Attend a neighborhood meeting to learn more 173 51
Volunteer 8 hours of my time to assist homeowners with minor repairs 35 10
Organize a volunteer group to assist homeowners with minor repairs 10 3
I would be willing to serve on an advisory board 29 9
Other 39 12
I would not support this effort 49 15
No response 53 16

Back to top

Q11. Which newspaper do you read on a regular basis?

Total Percent
Bremerton Sun 238 71
Bremerton Patriot 88 26
Port Orchard Independent 6 2
Central Kitsap Reporter 25 7
North Kitsap Herald 4 1
Seattle PI 54 16
Tacoma News Tribune 12 4
None 47 14
Other 19 6
No response 4 1

Back to top

Q12. About how many hours a week do you use the internet?

Total Percent
None 141 42
1 to 5 102 30
6 to 10 49 15
11 to 15 18 5
Greater than 15 22 7
No response 5 1

Back to top

Q13. When I receive a brochure or newsletter in the water/ sewer bill, I:

Total Percent
Always read it 157 47
Sometimes read it 140 42
Rarely read it 17 5
Never read it 18 5
No response 5 1

Back to top

Q14. The best time of the day for me to attend a neighborhood meeting is:

Total Percent
Weekday morning 72 21
Weekday evening 168 50
Weekend morning 25 7
Weekend evening 30 9
No response 53 16

Back to top

Q15. The best hour for me to attend a neighborhood meeting is (you may choose more than one):

Total Percent
9am 37 11
10am 51 15
11am 35 10
12pm 11 3
1pm 14 4
2pm 19 6
3pm 19 6
4pm 23 7
5pm 22 7
6pm 83 25
7pm 138 41
8pm 37 11
No response 57 17

Back to top

Q16. Finally, for our analysis of this survey, would you give us information about yourself?

Total Percent
I own the home at this sewer billing address 251 74
I own the business at this sewer billing address 22 7
I rent the home at this sewer billing address 35 10
I own the home and rent to someone else at this billing address 21 6
No response 8 2

Back to top

Q17. For about how many years have you lived in the City of Bremerton?

Total Percent
0-2 years 35 10
3-5 years 39 12
6-10 years 31 9
11 years or longer 190 56
I do not live in the City 37 11
No response 5 1

Back to top

In some cases, respondents indicated more than one answer to a question. Therefore, the sum of the responses will be greater than 100%. These questions will determine the ranking of the responses, rather than the percentage of the total group. This does not affect the quality of the survey or the value of the information provided.