Thesis defense, November 14, 2005

Read Paul Krueger's Master's Thesis in Communication

WATER TALK:
AN ANALYSIS OF MONOPOLIES OF KNOWLEDGE, RISK COMMUNICATION AND POTABLE WATER POLICY IN BRITISH COLUMBIA.

ABSTRACT:
Few in Canada were concerned about potable water until the Walkerton tragedy. Authorities at all levels have since pledged to strengthen water protection. British Columbia passed legislation intended to ensure the safety of its supply from "source to tap", and many municipalities have planned upgrades to their systems. Nevertheless, increasing numbers do not drink tap water but use bottled or filtered water instead.

Why?

Perception of risk depends on how, and by whom, it is communicated. Public practices indicate that drinking water policy and perceptions concerning risk are disconnected.

Harold Innis' "monopolies of knowledge" and William Leiss' writings on the domination of nature and risk communication illustrate why this disconnect exists and Marshall McLuhan's "laws of media" are a method for identifying potential reversals of expected outcomes.

This thesis addresses risk communication, analyses water policy and legislation, presents the results of a user survey, and makes recommendations for policy formation.

How Do you feel about your drinking water?
Click Here to Take the Potable Water Survey, or view the results to date.

To see BC's "Source To Tap" drinking water screening tool
click here

Rex Murphy on Walkerton
Rex Murphy comments on the role of government in providing the fundamentals of life.
see "Death On Tap"
http://archives.cbc.ca/IDCC-1-70-1672-11518/disasters_tragedies/walkerton/

The Water Poster

This poster has been presented at:
the Applied Science Institiute (March 2004)
the Canadian Science Writer's Associtation (June 2004)
the Canadian Water Network's Conference on Small Water Systems In BC (March 2006)

For a Hi -Res printable version click here