Voters Overwhelmingly Reject Proposed Federal Water Mandates That Lead to Higher Consumer Costs

~New Mason-Dixon poll shows Floridians do not approve of the EPA’s proposed costly new water regulations or politicians who support them~

TALLAHASSEE— Driven by concerns over paying higher bills, Florida voters are overwhelmingly opposed to new federal water regulations for the state that would cost the average household an additional $700 per year and resoundingly reject candidates who support the rate-increasing mandates. A new poll conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research of 625 likely Florida voters shows that 61 percent of Floridians are against the water regulations if the regulations were to result in a $700 increase in their water bills.

“Floridians are deeply concerned about the economy and the impact it is having on their personal incomes,” said Brad Coker, managing director of Mason-Dixon Polling & Research. “It’s clear candidates who support these new water regulations risk the ire of 60 percent of Florida voters. The poll shows supporting these regulations is a loser for anyone trying to get elected or reelected.”

An economic study conducted by Carollo Engineers for the Florida Water Environment Association Utility Council shows wastewater utility rates in Florida would increase by an average of around $700 per household under proposed new federal water regulations.

“For most families, a $700 increase in their water bill is a lot of money,” said State Sen. Chris Smith, D-Oakland Park. “My fear is that, without programs in place to ensure our most vulnerable citizens can afford these utility bills, these costs could function as a regressive tax on water whose burden would fall most heavily on black, Hispanic and elderly households surviving on low and fixed incomes.”

The Mason-Dixon poll shows that the economic impact of the new stringent EPA regulations could shape voters’ approval of candidates who support these regulations. When considering the projected cost increase on consumers, nearly 60 percent of Floridians polled said they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who supports the new federal water mandates. Only 9 percent of Floridians would be more likely to vote a candidate who supports the mandates.

A lawsuit settlement between an environmental group and the federal government triggered the proposed new federal water mandates set to take effect in October – just days before the 2010 election.

In spite of the fact that Florida is a national leader in aggressively enforcing water quality standards to protect our streams, lakes, rivers and estuaries, Florida is currently the only state in the nation to face these strict federal water mandates.

“I have seen firsthand the struggles families and small businesses are facing,” said State Rep. Trudi Williams, R- Fort Myers. “With a million Floridians out of work, homes sitting in foreclosure and employers struggling to get back on their feet, I’m concerned these increased costs will choke our state’s economic recovery.”

Mason-Dixon Poll Questions and Results:

QUESTION: Would you support or oppose enacting stricter EPA water quality regulations in Florida if it resulted in a $700 increase in your annual water bill?

STATE MEN WOMEN DEM REP IND

SUPPORT         23%    21%    24%    30%   14%   28%

OPPOSE              61%    64%    59%    51%   74%   55%

UNDECIDED        16%    15%    17%    19%   12%   17%

By Region          STATE NO CT TB SW SE

SUPPORT         23%    19%  24%  22%  21%  26%

OPPOSE              61%    67%  59%  62%  64   57%

UNDECIDED        16%    14%  17%  16%  15%  17%

QUESTION: If a candidate supported enacting new water quality regulations that increased your annual water bill by $700, would that make you:

Much more likely to vote for them             3%

Somewhat more likely to vote for them            6%

Somewhat less likely to vote for them             19%

Much less likely to vote for them                    40%

Or, would it have no effect on your vote             27%

Not Sure (NOT READ)                              5%

Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, Inc. of Washington, D.C. conducted the poll from August 9 through August 11, 2010 on behalf of a broad coalition of concerned Floridians who oppose the unfair and unscientific federal numerical nutrient criteria. A total of 625 registered voters were interviewed statewide by telephone. All stated they vote regularly in state elections. The poll has a margin for error of plus or minus 4 percent.

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Mason-Dixon Poll Attached:
FL water manate cost Poll 0810

FWEAUC Study Attached: final FWEAUC letter to Crist re NNC Cost Implications for Fla POTWs with attachment-1