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- Title
Biosolids in Western Canada: A Case Study on Public Risk Perception and Factors Influencing Public Attitudes.
- Authors
Whitehouse, Sarah; Tsigaris, Panagiotis; Wood, Joel; Fraser, Lauchlan H.
- Abstract
The land application of biosolids can be subject to questions and concerns, suggesting a gap exists with public perception of biosolids. There is opposition amongst a segment of the population regarding the land application of biosolids in the Southern Interior of British Columbia in Canada. Kamloops and Merritt communities were assessed through a mailout survey to understand better public perceptions of biosolids risks and factors that influence attitudes towards biosolids management. Two thousand surveys were distributed proportionately between the communities. Response rates for Kamloops and Merritt were 22 and 24 percent, respectively. Kamloops and Merritt respondents generally identified differing risk perceptions around biosolids management. Kamloops respondents relative to Merritt were more accepting of the risks associated with biosolids. This acceptance is a likely result of Merritt residents' recent experience with application sites and proximity to biosolids projects, and the associated negative local media attention. Results from Kamloops highlighted that there is general support to find a productive use of biosolids. This research supports the notion that the 'beyond compliance' approach of conducting early engagement to obtain community support proactively may be valuable for any potentially controversial natural resource project, such as with biosolids land application projects.
- Subjects
KAMLOOPS (B.C.); BRITISH Columbia; RISK perception; SEWAGE sludge; PUBLIC opinion; ATTITUDE (Psychology); NATURAL resources; COMMUNITY support; WASTE management; SURVEYS; HEALTH literacy; T-test (Statistics); SCALE analysis (Psychology); DESCRIPTIVE statistics; STATISTICAL sampling; LOGISTIC regression analysis
- Publication
Environmental Management, 2022, Vol 69, Issue 1, p179
- ISSN
0364-152X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s00267-021-01540-4