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Abstract

The purpose of this research was to better understand Flagstaff, Arizona (AZ) residents’ water knowledge, media uses, information sources, and water-related risk perceptions. After collecting survey responses from residents (n=476), results highlighted that most residents know their water supplier, but their risk perceptions varied as related to waterborne diseases and water scarcity. Particularly, participants felt more susceptible to water scarcity issues than waterborne diseases and felt that water scarcity was more severe than waterborne diseases. Further, when considering getting water-related information, many participants preferred receiving information via digital devices. Regarding social media use, participants held the strongest preference for receiving water-related information via Facebook. And perhaps surprisingly, participants reported the greatest level of trust for receiving water-related information from the local municipal water department signaling that the municipal water supplier has credibility with the community. Women reported higher risk perceptions about waterborne diseases and water scarcity than men. Further, younger participants reported higher risk perceptions about waterborne diseases than older participants. Shockingly, there were no significant differences among races in risk perceptions about water scarcity or waterborne diseases.

Journal Title

Iowa Journal of Communication

Volume

57

Issue

1

First Page

106

Last Page

137

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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