A new poll released by Mansfield University this week shows the public overwhelmingly supports clean water and links having clean water with continued economic competitiveness, far outscoring other environmental concerns.

The poll results were released by the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee in a special issue of their Environmental Synopsis newsletter.

Some of the key poll results include:

· 90.1 percent felt it was very important to have clean water in our rivers and streams;

· 95.7 percent said clean water was important to Pennsylvania’s economic competitiveness;

· 59.1 percent said the cost of water and wastewater services was too low or reasonable;

· 80.1 percent agreed more funds are needed to fix water, sewage systems; and

· 75.7 percent would give $1/year to support regional water, sewer planning.

The Joint Committee is chaired by Rep. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) and Sen. Ray Musto (D-Luzerne) serves as vice-chair.

For more information visit the Joint Conservation Committee website.

6/22/2007