Source Water Protection Research Articles

Design Strategy of Emergency Pools at Source Water Protection Areas

The pollution problem arising from the flushing of initial rainwater and wastewater from accidents while transporting dangerous goods to source water protection areas needs to be solved as soon as possible. Therefore, the design of corresponding environmental protection measures should be considered in the engineering design stage. It is necessary to analyze the specific work in combination with engineering examples. Under this background, this paper first briefly expounds the precautions in accident risk analysis and the design of tank capacity and tank body. Finally, by analyzing actual cases, this paper systematically studies the design strategy of emergency pool in source water protection area, hoping to provide new development ideas for the upgrading of relevant work.

Analyzing the Factors Contributing to Bacterial Contamination of Domestic Water Sources in Estuarine Islands of Coastal Karnataka, India

Contamination of domestic water sources is a major concern in estuarine islands of coastal Karnataka. Awareness about practices for waste management and protection of water sources on these islands is poor. Using water having bacterial presence for domestic purposes can lead to various health risks in humans. The research investigates various factors leading to bacterial contamination of domestic water sources at Mudukudru island of Swarna river, in the Udupi district of Karnataka. Samples were collected during the Pre-monsoon (December–May) and Monsoon (June–September) seasons from 43 wells of individual houses on the island. The total concentration of bacteria, in the water samples was determined from microbial analysis. The multiple tube, most probable number (MPN), fermentation technique was adopted to determine the total coliform in the samples. Factors like the presence or absence of well lining, well housing, wellhead above or below ground level, the distance of well from sewage pits, and the distance of livestock from the wells were correlated. The results indicated bacterial contamination in 32 wells during the monsoon as compared to pre-monsoon data, with the total coliform count exceeding the standard of 500 MPN/100 mL. A significant relation between total coliform count in the water samples and the absence of well lining with sanitary protection is observed with p-value = .00 ( p ⩽ .05) and wells located near (<10.0 m) to sewage pit with p-value ⩽ .05, were recorded respectively during both the seasons of sampling. The study highlights the major factors leading to bacterial contamination of wells on the island. Awareness about the planning of domestic wells through community-driven programs and hygiene education can be beneficial for the sustainable future of these islands.

ECOFEMINISM TOPICS: WATER SCARCITY IN REMOTE DISTRICT OF UZBEKISTAN (CASE STUDY)

Against the background of recent global environmental changes on our planet, serious and dangerous problems are expanding. One of them is the problem of water scarcity. Water scarcity is severe mainly in the southern regions of Uzbekistan. Even in areas where water is not so scarce, the amount of water is decreasing because of pollution and salinity. This study examines the geographical and environmental aspects of water scarcity in Uzbekistan based on a Case Study. A small remote district of Uzbekistan called Oltinsoy was chosen for the study. The case study mainly focuses on the water problem in agriculture. Thus, the water problem in this area currently exists as an environmental problem, which seeks the main attention and quick solutions. The purpose of this study is to promote the fight against water scarcity in the region and to emphasize support for the concrete and effective implementation of projects to ensure sustainability at the local level. During the study, water scarcity is becoming more serious, and the results showed that a capable solution should be found as soon as possible. In the region, it was found necessary to implement many measures, such as the protection of water sources, the control of polluting wastes, and the implementation of effective management of water resources. However, there is a strong data limitation. In conclusion of the study, the following is considered very essential that bringing water collection systems into the area. It is necessary to carry out regional exact and transparent statistical data in the field of agriculture and others.

Delineation of Well Head Protection Areas for the Public Wells in the Ferizaj Region (Kosovo) with Limited Data Availability

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has funded the Rural Water and Sanitation Support Programme (RWSSP) that has increased the access to public water supply throughout Europe’s youngest state—Kosovo—in the past ten years. The Programme, implemented by Dorsch International Consultants GmbH and Community Development Initiatives has, among other activities, implemented groundwater protection methods. Nevertheless, groundwater protection remains a challenge in Kosovo. The water law describes that water source protection is similar to German rules, yet modelling-based planning of water source protection zones remains challenging. In the present study, the development of the hydrogeological and the mathematical groundwater model for the technical delineation of the well head protection area for the Ferizaj well fields under limited data availability is described in detail. The study shows that even when not all data are available, it is possible and necessary to use mathematical groundwater models to delineate well head protection areas.

ОТЕЧЕСТВЕННЫЙ ОПЫТ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ ХОЗЯЙСТВЕННО- БЫТОВЫХ СТОЧНЫХ ВОД

Purpose: to study domestic experience in the household wastewater use for fertilizer irrigation, as well as to analyze legal acts and regulations in the field of irrigation of agricultural crops with treated household wastewater. Discussion. In the course of studying domestic experience, it was found that since 2012, widespread studies of the effectiveness of the household wastewater use and their impact on crops during irrigation have ceased. Research today is sporadic. The provisions of the Water Code and other normative documents regulating the prevention of water body pollution are analyzed. Conclusions. The colossal practical experience of irrigation with household wastewater, confirming the beneficial effect on soil fertility, falls on the 70–90s last century. But despite this, the technological possibilities of the widespread introduction of irrigation with wastewater in Russia are not expanding and are practically not used. Appropriate preparation of household wastewater for the purposes of fertigation and compliance with the current sanitary legislation will solve several problems at once: wastewater disposal, rational use of water resources, saving mineral fertilizers, water sources protection from pollution, increasing soil fertility and agricultural yields. In order to update the outdated regulatory framework, the authors propose the development of the GOST R standard “Reclamation systems and structures. Irrigation systems using wastewater. Technological design standards”, which establishes the main provisions for standardizing the quality of household wastewater for irrigation purposes.

STUDY OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS ON WATER RESOURCE: A CASE STUDY FROM SIKLES VILLAGE OF ACAP REGION

Climate-induced water related problems are major challenge for mountain communities and little is known on changes and impacts to local people. This paper focuses on climate change issues and its water related consequences to people of Sikles village. Climatic data were collected and analyzed for trend and variability analysis. Water availability was analyzed based on discharge measurement through a volumetric approach and demand was estimated from total population and per capita daily water requirement as prescribed by WHO. Local perception was assessed from household questionnaire survey (n=60). The result showed that average annual maximum and minimum temperature is increasing at the rate of 0.049℃ and 0.006℃ annually. Similarly, annual precipitation is also slightly increasing but in unpredictable pattern whereas number of rainy days is decreasing at 1.123 days per year. Both hot and cold climate extremes and intense rainfall are seen frequently in recent years. Landslide is major water related problem in the area and has more risk due to intense rainfall. Locals perceived that water availability in the sources is decreasing, also current demand and supply analysis in dry period showed there is scarcity of water if collection time concentered only on morning and evening. Water source protection and plantation is most adopted practices to protect water and minimize landslide hazards. Local water use regulation for efficient use of water, development of water storage and distribution system and promotion of green interventions could be important future strategy to face the predicted water related problems in the village.

ЕКОЛОГІЧНІ АСПЕКТИ РОЗВИТКУ ТУРИЗМУ

At the present stage, considerable attention is paid to the problems of harming the environment, which arises as a result of uncontrolled or unreasonably burdensome tourism and recreational activities for natural landscapes. The article highlights certain ecological aspects of the development of the tourism and recreation sphere. It is determined what impact the growth of mass tourism has on the natural and recreational potential and the natural environment.As you know, the policy of intensifying the use of tourist-recreation potential leads to an increase in the load on the ecosystem. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to form a policy and develop a strategy for the development of tourism not separately, but as an integral part of a unified regional policy based on the principles of sustainable ecologic economic development.An important factor in the development of tourism is maintaining a balance between ecological, economic and social components. First of all, environmental factors of development should be taken into account: optimal anthropogenic load on the natural resources of the territory, diversification of types of tourism: the formation of ecolo-gically oriented directions, which will make it possible to achieve a balanced develop-ment of tourism.The policy of the development of the tourist and recreational sphere, taking into account the environmental impact, is becoming more and more urgent and relevant. The protection and transformation of recreational areas includes the determination of load standards for natural complexes, the allocation of green zones and resort forests, the protection of recreational lands, forest management measures, the protection of underground water and mineral resources and sources, and the preservation of the purity of the air basin.The rapid development of tourist and recreational activities is reflected in the massive, sharp increase in the number of tourists, includingmotorists. Issues of protection of natural resources should be resolved long before the start of exploitation of the recreational area, i.e. at the design stage.Keywords:ecological aspects, tourist and recreational activities, impact and consequences, balance.

Protecting the Vital Groundwater Sources of Oceanic Islands

Key TakeawaysGroundwater contamination following a 1977 chemical spill on the Hawaiian island of Oahu caused alarm and led to swift action in the early 1980s, including closure of several drinking water wells.Legislation and other efforts to remediate and monitor the contamination have been rigorous and nearly continuous.Decades later, a recent study has examined source water protection and economic impact stemming from Oahu's groundwater contamination.

The influence of water source protection zone delimitation on development in Huanren Manchu Autonomous County

Under the background of rapid urbanization and industrialization development, in order to satisfy the increasing demand of residents for domestic water, the establishment of water source protection zone is the most effective way to protect water resources at present. However, the influence on the social and economic development could not be ignored. The article analyzes the influence of the delimitation of water source protection zone on economy such as ecological migration, urban municipal pipe network construction, rural drinking water and urban water supply. The impact on economy like industrial enterprises, agricultural planting, livestock industry, aquaculture, tourist industry were also mentioned. The article triggers the exploration of the way to realize the coordination and sustainable development of economy, society, resources and environment

Application of Extraction and Determination Based on Deep Eutectic Solvents in Different Types of Environmental Samples

Water sources are an indispensable resource for human survival. Monitoring the pollution status of the surrounding environment is necessary to protect water sources. Research on the environmental matrix of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) has expanded rapidly because of their high extraction efficiency for various target analytes, controllable synthesis, and versatile structure. Following the synthesis of hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDESs), their application in aqueous matrices broadened greatly. The present review conducted a survey on the pollutant extraction methods based DESs in environmental matrices from two aspects, application methods and matrix types; discussed the potential risk of DESs to the environment and future development trends; and provided some references for researchers to choose DES-based extraction methods for environmental research.

Societal benefits from wildfire mitigation activities through payments for watershed services: Insights from Colorado

Payments for watershed services (PWS) programs are becoming a popular governance approach in the western United States (US) to fund forest management aimed at source water protection. In this paper we conduct a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of one of the first collaboratively funded PWS programs in the US, located in the municipal watersheds servicing Denver, Colorado. We combine wildfire modeling, sediment modeling, and primary and secondary data on economic values to quantify the impact of the program on protecting multiple values at risk. Our results show that while the program has led to diverse societal benefits, it is only economically efficient (benefit-cost ratio greater than one) when all co-benefits beyond source water protection are considered, and fuels treatments are assumed to encounter wildfire. When the probability of wildfire is accounted for, economic benefits would need to be triple what was estimated in our analysis to achieve economic efficiency. Our findings suggest that improving spatial prioritization of interventions would increase economic benefits and better data on treatment placement and costs would help facilitate future CBA of PWS programs focused on wildfire mitigation.

Evaluation of the value of water retention service in the middle and upper reaches of Hunhe River based on SWAT Model.

The upper and middle reaches of the Hunhe River, with forest coverage rate up to 68%, is an important water source protection area in Liaoning Province. Based on the SWAT model and shadow engineering method, we aimed to estimate the function and service value of water retention in the upper and middle Hunhe River basin from 2000 to 2019, to analyze the spatial heterogeneity, and to provide a scientific basis for the ecological compensation and ecological restoration of the region. Our results showed that the function and service value of water retention in the upper and middle reaches of the Hunhe increased first, and then decreased from 2000 to 2019. The mean annual amount and service value of water retention were 2.46 billion m3 and 15.04 billion yuan, respectively. The spatial distribution of water conservation service functions in the study area was uneven. The areas of high water retention service value were mainly distributed in Qingyuan County and Xinbin County, while the low-value areas were located in municipal districts of Shenyang City. The value of water retention services was obviously different among the ecosystems, with water retention capacity per unit area of forests being much higher than that of grassland, farmland, and cities.

Assessment of sewage sludge management at Thu Dau Mot wastewater treatment enterprise

Binh Duong province has built and put into operation 29 industrial zones and 10 industrial clusters, contributing to the strong socio-economic development and accompanied by environmental concerns, especially management, waste treatment in general and waste from drainage systems and sanitation works in particular. Thu Dau Mot wastewater treatment enterprise was built including works such as: inlet works, ASBR tank, and disinfection house, sludge concentration tank, sludge extractor, house deodorizing, and so on. The quality of water after treatment meets QCVN 14: 2008 / BTNMT standards (column A), contributing to the protection of Saigon river water sources, ensuring the aesthetics and environmental sanitation of Thu Dau Mot city area. The factory was installed ASBR circulating activated sludge treatment technology, limiting odor generation, not affecting the surrounding environment, increasing 30% of design capacity compared to traditional SBR tanks of the same volume, easy to operate, low operating costs and saving power. The most common non-toxic organic compounds include materials of plant and animal origin such as proteins, amino acids, sugars, fats; compounds containing N, P. Toxic organic compounds include compounds of alkyl phenols, chloro-benzenes. Metals such as: Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, Ni, Cr, Hg, As. Some of these compounds can be toxic to humans and animals. Harmful microorganisms such as pathogenic bacteria, viruses together with parasitic helminthes can increase the potential harm to human, animal and plant health. Inorganic compounds such as silicates, aluminates, and magnesium compounds. After being treated, the sludge will be collected and transported to South Binh Duong Waste Treatment Enterprise to produce construction materials and make compost.

Assessing Heavy Metal Contamination Risk in Soil and Water in the Core Water Source Area of the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, China

The Middle Route Project of China’s South-to-North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP) is a national-level water source protection zone and the ecological safety of its water quality and surrounding soil is of great significance. In this study, heavy metals in the surface water and topsoil in the core water source area were quantitatively analyzed using a geographic information system (GIS) and geostatistical techniques combined with environmental pollution and ecological risk assessment models to determine their environmental contamination levels, ecological risk levels, and spatial distribution patterns. Cd was identified as an essential factor responsible for the overall slight heavy metal pollution in the topsoil layer. Heavy metal contamination in surface water was primarily driven by alert-level concentrations of Hg and was consistently distributed in areas with high concentrations of Hg in the topsoil. Applying the potential ecological risk index (RI) revealed two key results. First, surface water showed no ecological risk. The concentrations of heavy metals in surface water met the goals set by relevant authorities in China. Second, overall, the topsoil was at low ecological risk, with a spatial pattern primarily influenced by Cd and Hg. Some heavy metals might have similar pollution sources and originate from human activities such as industrial activities, mining and smelting, and pesticide and chemical fertilizer applications. The study is important for improving the soil and water ecology in the reservoir area and ensuring the northward diversion of high-quality water. In addition, it provides a sound basis for making decisions about local heavy-metal remediation and treatment projects.

Sustainable watering of the watershed: a qualitative analysis of the Choral River Revival Project in Narmada Basin, India

ABSTRACT This article focuses on understanding watershed development practices in adherence to target 6.6 to protect water-related ecosystems and target 6.b for community participation in water management under Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) 6. A watershed treatment-induced case of Choral River revival signifies localised socio-political scalability of water source protection and resource use measures in India’s Narmada River basin. The article uses a qualitative research methodology to analyse factors ensuring and affecting local community participation during and after the watershed programme implementation. It concludes by arguing that sustainability in watershed-based sustainable action requires intertwining participatory community engagement with adaptive water management policies and practices.

Tracking domestic wastewater and road de-icing salt in a municipal drinking water reservoir: Acesulfame and chloride as co-tracers

Developing strategies to identify the origins of contaminants in watersheds is crucial for source water protection. The use of multiple tracers improves the ability to identify contamination events originating from various land use activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of acesulfame and chloride as co-tracers to represent the impact of pollution originating from wastewater and road de-icing on water quality in a municipal drinking water source. The study included a two-year sampling and water quality analysis program in numerous locations within a drinking water reservoir comprising a lake (upstream) and a river (downstream) which supply raw water to a municipal water treatment plant. Results showed that the spatial variability of acesulfame and chloride within the watershed of the lake-river systems depends on the location of contaminant sources, mainly municipal wastewater and septic tank discharges (for acesulfame) and the presence of small tributaries of the lake and river (for chloride). Temporal variability of the tracers under study differed according to the sampling location and was mainly affected by seasonal conditions. Correlation analyses between the two tracers in lake and river waters (in terms of concentrations and loads) made it possible to pinpoint the probable origins of contamination. The assessment of the spatio-temporal variability of these co-tracers within the lake-river watersheds allowed for the delineation of priority intervention zones as a decision-making tool for municipal authorities in improving drinking water source protection.

Variation in fractional vegetation cover and its attribution analysis of different regions of Beijing-Tianjin Sand Source Region, China

Based on the MODIS NDVI data from 2000 to 2018, we estimated the fractional vegetation cover (FVC) using the dimidiate pixel model and analyzed the spatiotemporal characteristics of FVC in the Beijing-Tianjin sand source region (BTSSR). The geographical detector model was used to estimate the impacts of natural and human factors on FVC spatial distribution at the regional scale. The results showed that the FVC of the BBTSR showed an increasing trend from 2000 to 2018, with an annual growth rate of 0.013·(10 a)-1 and a vegetation increase rate of 8.2%. The area with high FVC was concentrated in the Yanshan Mountain water source protection area, followed by the pastoral transitional zone desertified land control area and the Otindag sandy land area. The area with poor FVC was concentrated in the northern arid grassland area. The explanatory power of driving factors to FVC varied across different regions. Among the natural factors, annual precipitation was the main driving factor for the spatial distribution of FVC in the northern arid grassland area, the Otindag sandy land area and the Yanshan Mountain water source protection area. Slope was the main driving factor for the spatial distribution of FVC in the pastoral transitional zone desertified land control area. Among different human activities, the number of large livestock at the year-end was the main driving factor controlling the spatial distribution of FVC in the northern arid grassland area and the pastoral transitional zone desertified land control area, while population density was the main driving factor controlling the spatial distribution of FVC in the Otindag sandy land area and the Yanshan Mountain water source protection area. There were regional differences in the influen-ce of other factors on FVC spatial distribution. The results of the interaction detector showed that the two-factor interactions were mainly the double-synergy and nonlinear synergy. The interaction of human activities with annual precipitation and slope could more fully explain the spatial variations of FVC. The range of suitable vegetation growth identified by the risk detector was the area with annual precipitation of 316.4-486.0 mm, average relative humidity of 48.4%-57.6%, and average annual temperature of 2.5-7.9 ℃, while other driving factors were different in different zones.

Further Discussion on the Influence Radius of a Pumping Well: A Parameter with Little Scientific and Practical Significance That Can Easily Be Misleading

To facilitate understanding and calculation, hydrogeologists have introduced the influence radius. This parameter is now widely used, not only in the theoretical calculation and reasoning of well flow mechanics, but also in guiding production practice, and it has become an essential parameter in hydrogeology. However, the reasonableness of this parameter has always been disputed. This paper discusses the nature of the influence radius and the problems of its practical application based on mathematical reasoning and analogy starting from the Dupuit formula and Thiem formula. It is found that the influence radius is essentially the distance in the time–distance problem in physics; therefore, it is a function of time and velocity and is influenced by hydrogeological conditions and pumping conditions. Additionally, the influence radius is a variable and is essentially different from the hydrogeological parameters reflecting the natural properties of aquifers such as the porosity, specific yield, and hydraulic conductivity. Furthermore, the parameterized influence radius violates the continuity principle of fluids. In reality, there are no infinite horizontal aquifers, and most aquifers are replenished from external sources, which is very different from theory. The stable or seemingly stable groundwater level observed in practice is simply a coincidence that occurs under the influence of various practical factors, which cannot be considered to explain the rationality of applying this parameter in production calculations. Therefore, the influence radius cannot be used to evaluate the sustainable water supply capacity of aquifers, nor can it be used to guide the design of groundwater pollution remediation projects, the division of water source protection areas, and the scheme of riverbank filtration wells. Various ecological and environmental problems caused by groundwater exploitation are related to misleading information from the influence radius theory. Generally, the influence radius does not have scientific or practical significance, but it can easily be misleading, particularly for non-professionals. The influence radius should not be used in the sustainable development and protection of groundwater resources, let alone in theoretical models. From the perspective of regional overall planning, the calculation and evaluation of sustainable development and the utilization of groundwater resources should be investigated in a systematic manner.

Geostatistical patterns of comorbidity of diarrhea, acute respiratory infection, and stunting among under-five children in Nigeria

ABSTRACT Among children under five in Nigeria, in the year 2018, the prevalence of diarrhea was 13%, that of acute respiratory infections 3%, and that of stunting 37%. A shared-component model highlights geographic variations in the comorbidities of these diseases. The data are from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. The majority of states in northern Nigeria presented clusters of higher risk for comorbidities of any pair of the three diseases. Compared with mothers with primary education or less, mothers with secondary education were 1.4 times less likely to have two or three of these diseases at the same time, and women with tertiary education 2.0 times less. Compared to childless women of the same age, mothers were 1.6 times less when aged 20–29, 1.9 times less when aged 30–39, and 2.0 times less when aged 40–49. Access to a protected water source reduced the risk by a factor of 1.3. Girls under age five were 1.2 times less likely than boys of that age to have two or three of these diseases at the same time. This factor was the same for breastfed children compared to those who were not breastfed.

Comparison of methods to evaluate overland travel times for source water protection

Protection areas are commonly delineated in water supply watersheds to manage anthropogenic activities that pose pollution risks. These areas are frequently determined based on geographical distances that are not representative of the travel time of water. For surface waters, the total travel time for water between an anthropogenic activity and the drinking water intake is the sum of the overland travel time and the travel time in a river. In previous research, we reported methods for evaluating travel time in a river. The present paper focuses on the estimation of overland travel times. Four methods were applied, evaluated and compared based on a land use database representing anthropogenic activities that potentially release contaminants. Methods for overland travel times that provided more precise results required abundant data and expertise to be implemented, but can contribute to improved decision-making for land use planning in the context of source water protection.