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Perception and Public Policy in the Recreational Use of Domestic Water Supply Reservoirs
Author(s) -
Bauman Duane D.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/wr005i003p00543
Subject(s) - recreation , water supply , recreational use , potable water , business , water resource management , natural resource economics , environmental science , environmental planning , environmental engineering , economics , political science , law
Recreational activities are more restricted on domestic water supply reservoirs in the Northeast and Far West than in the remainder of the United States. In the Northeast and Far West, recreational activities are usually prohibited from domestic water supply reservoirs, especially bodily contact activities; the water managers view recreation as incompatible with the production of safe potable water, and consumer opinion opposes such reservoir use. In the remainder of the country, recreational activities are not only allowed on domestic water supply reservoirs, but the water managers do not consider reservoir recreation as inimical to the hygienic and aesthetic qualities of the drinking water, and the public favors such reservoir use. From a literature review, the writer concludes that all recreational activities can be permitted on domestic water supply reservoirs without any measurable increase in the risk of water‐borne disease if the water is properly treated.