| Summary: | <p>Due to climatic and lithologic factors groundwater in
Saskatchewan is often of poor quality. Common problems include
high levels of iron, manganese, hardness, sulfates, nitrates, and
total dissolved solids. These water quality problems may impose
economic health and aesthetic costs on Saskatchewan farmers.</p>
<p>Groundwater quality data from Saskatchewan Research Council was
combined with data gathered by mailed questionnaires to define
four groups of farmers based on the water quality analyses and
the farmers' assessment of his water quality.</p>
<p>Discriminant analysis was used to determine whether those
variables found to be important in explaining variations in
perception in previous research were useful in explaining
variations in perception of groundwater quality as illustrated by
these groups.</p>
<p>Respondents considered water quality to be less important than
problems relating to production and economic issues. They have a
high awareness of the presence of general water quality problems,
however when asked to identify specific water quality problems,
variations begin to arise in perception. The analysis indicates
that the severity of the problem and the value of water to the
farming operation are positively related to perception of poor
quality groundwater. Age and experience with the resource are
negatively associated with perception.</p>
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