Water For Consumption Research Articles

Heat Pumps with Smart Control in Managing Australian Residential Electrical Load during Transition to Net Zero Emissions

Australia, like many other countries around the world, is undergoing a transition toward net zero emissions. It requires changes and development in many sectors, which not only bring benefits but also challenges. The rapid growth in renewable energy sources (RESs) is necessary to decarbonise electricity generation but negatively affects grid stability. Residential buildings also contribute to this issue through specific load profiles and the high penetration of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) installations. Maintaining grid balance will be crucial for further emissions reductions. One of the potential solutions can be the replacement of conventional heating and cooling systems in houses with solutions capable of storing energy and shifting the electrical load. As presented in this paper, heat pumps and hydronic systems can significantly improve the electrical load of a typical South Australian household when they are controlled by algorithms reacting to the current grid conditions and household-generated electricity compared to conventional solutions. TRNSYS 18 simulations of air source and ground source heat pump systems with smart control based on measured electricity consumption and domestic hot water usage data showed the possibility of total energy consumption reduction, shifting the load from peak periods towards periods of excessive RES generation and increasing self-consumption of rooftop PV electricity. These improvements reduce the amount of emissions generated by such a household and allow for further development of other sectors.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in powdered infant formula: potential exposures and health risks

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of human-made persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic compounds. People can be exposed to PFAS through many different pathways, including food, drinking water, and PFAS-containing consumer products. Infants are recognized as particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of PFAS while also being among the most highly exposed populations. Exposure to PFAS begins in utero via placental transfer and can continue after birth from environmental exposures and breastfeeding. PFAS-contaminated water, if used to mix infant formula, is an important potential exposure route for formula-fed infants because they consume more fluid on a per-body-weight basis than older individuals. However, data about potential PFAS exposures from powdered infant formula itself are lacking. To address this data gap, we analyzed 17 powdered infant formulas for 10 different PFAS. Only one type of PFAS, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), was detected in a single dairy-based formula at a reconstituted concentration of 8.9 ng/L. Using our recently updated toxicokinetic model, we estimated serum PFOS concentration curves over the first year of life for various exposure scenarios, including different fluid intake rates, formula reconstituted with uncontaminated and contaminated water, and with and without placental transfer. Our analytical results indicate the single PFOS detection in powdered infant formula is not a major source of PFOS relative to other sources, and our risk assessment comparing various formula-fed infant scenarios to the Minnesota Department of Health’s 2024 PFOS reference serum concentration (2.6 ng/mL) concludes that PFAS from powdered formula likely does not pose a significant risk to infants.

Abundance, characterization, and health risk evaluation of microplastics in borehole water in Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria.

Microplastic pollution has become a global menace, and water, being a major "sink" for pollutants, represents a significant source of human exposure. This study aimed to assess the safety of borehole water in Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria, specifically concerning microplastic pollution. Water samples were collected from boreholes in selected areas, including Bayan Kara, Malali, Rafin Atiku, Aliero Quarters, GwadanGaji, FUBK Takeoff Site, Kalgo Market, and Tarasa. Microplastics were extracted from the water samples through filtration using glass fiber filter papers, and were subsequently subjected to spectroscopy and microscopy to determine concentrations, shapes, and polymer types. Health risks associated with the microplastics were also calculated. The results revealed that the samples from Tarasa exhibited the highest concentrations of microplastics (96.967 particles/L), followed by Bayan Kara (92.70 particles/L), Rafin Atiku (92.33 particles/L), GwadanGwaji (92.30 particles/L), FUBK Takeoff Site (91.07 particles/L), Aliero Quarters (90.43 particles/L), Kalgo Market (88.00 particles/L), and Malali (86.40 particles/L). The most dominant shape was fibers (73 %), followed by fragments (16 %), foams (6 %), and filaments (5 %). Polyethylene and polyamide, in that order, were the most dominant polymers, while polystyrene was the least common. The majority of risk scores were classified as III. It can be inferred from the results that microplastic pollution in borehole water poses a health hazard in the city. Consumers of borehole water in the studied areas are advised to treat the water before consumption to mitigate potential health risks.

Experimental approach and analysis of the effectiveness of a tubular helical flow flocculator for water supply in developing communities

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the length and retention time of a tubular helical flow flocculator (THFF) on the elimination of turbidity and color from raw water, to obtain quality treated water for consumption in areas rural. For this, a large-scale field experimental system was used, the THFF was built with 4-inch diameter polyethylene hose and coupled to a sedimentation and filtration process. For the different experimental tests, aluminum sulfate was chosen as the coagulant. To find the optimal dose of coagulant, jar tests were previously carried out. For the tests the length of the THFF was varied (50 m and 75 m), flow rates of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 2 L/s and turbidity ranges of <10, 10–20, 21–50, 51–100 and > 100 NTU of raw water were tested. An evaluation of the hydraulic behavior of the THFF was carried out through an analysis of the temporal distribution curve of the concentration of a tracer, applying the Wolf-Resnick model. The average results revealed a haze and color removal efficiency of 98.07 % and 98.50 %, respectively. The residence time and velocity gradient exhibited variations in a range of 2.25–35.0 min and 3.64 to 56.94 s−1, respectively. It was evident that the operation and effectiveness of THFF are directly influenced by the turbidity of the raw water, the residence time and the velocity gradient. These findings indicate that THFF could play a valuable role as a flocculation unit in a purification system, mainly the existence of a plug-type flow was observed. The findings indicate that THFF, complemented by settling and filtration processes, could be a valuable tool for implementation in rural areas.

Corporate Social Investment in the Environment in Brazil: an Overview of Actions Related to SDG 6 – Water and Sanitation

Objective: Investigate the Corporate Social Investment (CSP) in the environment in Brazil, focusing on the UN's Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 – Water and Sanitation. Theoretical Framework: Achieving SDG 6 in Brazil requires partnerships between governments, companies and citizens to guarantee water resources for future generations, and the CSP can contribute in this aspect. Method: Documentary research on BISC Reports (Benchmarking em Investimento Social Corporativo) from 2008 to 2023; GIFE Censuses (Grupo de Institutos, Fundações e Empresas) from 2005 to 2022-2023; and Sustainability Reports of participating companies. Results and Discussion: In BISC surveys, CSP in the environment had a better moment in 2012, representing 12% of investments, when it decreased continuously until 2020, reaching 0.1%, and rising to 5.8% in 2022. Environment prevailed in companies' mandatory socio-environmental applications, meaning legally imposed investments to compensate for environmental impacts. In the GIFE censuses, the average number of companies with CSP in the environment was 42%, but the volume of resources in 2022 was only 5.8% of the total. Only 10 companies had an CSP related to SDG 6, with target 6.6, about protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems, having the greatest performance. Research Implications: The private sector is a large consumer of potable water and the growing demand for water security requires new forms of corporate water management, beyond company walls and legal impositions. Originality/Value: The CSP in the environment in Brazil is still not very representative, but there are success stories to be studied and made a reference for other companies.

Area prioritising criteria during phased conversion from intermittent to continuous water supply: The case study of Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company, Zambia

ABSTRACT Conversion from intermittent to continuous water supply is a recommended approach for improving water supply service to communities. The conversion process is complex and requires huge financial and human resources investments. Because such resources are always limited and cannot be adequately provided at once, phased conversion is encouraged. However, there are challenges with this approach in terms of which areas should be prioritized during the conversion process so that the water supply situation for the unconverted areas is not aggravated. This article uses a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews to identify the criteria for prioritising areas to be converted during phased conversion to continuous water supply from a water utility perspective. The Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company is used as a case study. Results show that the financial sustainability of the utility company is the major criterion for selecting an area to be prioritized. In countries like Zambia where tariff structures are such that industries subsidise domestic water consumption and the affluent subsidise water consumed by the poor, prioritising financial sustainability entails giving priority to areas where high revenues are expected. This is synonymous with giving priority to the affluent or the middle-class areas with high densities of water consumers.

Coordination Relationship and Spatial Differentiation between Industrial Structure and Water Use Structure in Gansu Province

Taking Gansu Province as the research area, the coordination level and relationship between industrial structure and water use structure in Gansu Province were analyzed by the coordination degree and structure coefficient. On this basis, it is further divided into five regions, and the spatial differences of intra-regional and inter-regional coordination levels are explored by Gini coefficient. The results indicate that :(1) After the adjustment of industrial structure and water consumption structure, the proportion of secondary industry is reduced, and the water consumption is reduced. (2) The development of coordination degree is good, and the overall trend is low consumption, low efficiency and medium coordination water consumption mode. (3) The regional differences in industrial structure and water use structure in Gansu Province are prominent, especially in Hexi region and Gannan region, with a decreasing trend.

Removal and risk assessment of emerging contaminants and heavy metals in a wastewater reuse process producing drinkable water for human consumption

This study focuses on the removal and risk assessment of twenty emerging contaminants (ECs) and heavy metals in a REMIX water treatment plant (RWTP) that produces drinking water from combination of wastewater reuse and desalination. The membrane biological reactor (MBR) exhibit removal rates exceeding 95% of pharmaceuticals like acetaminophen, trimethoprim, diclofenac, naproxen, and emtricitabine. The efficiency of brackish reverse osmosis (BWRO) in removing ECs is highlighted, showing substantial efficacy with reduction rates of 99.5%, 75.5%, and 51.2% for sulfamethoxazole, venlafaxine, and benzotriazole, respectively. The advanced oxidation process based on Fenton process reveals removal (>95%) of emtricitabine, efavirenz, and carbamazepine. The study confirms that the combination of treatment units within the RWTP effectively removes heavy metals (>90%), complying with acceptable limits. Risk quotient (RQ) calculations indicate the efficiency of the RWTP in EC removal, serving as benchmarks for public acceptance of reclaimed water. In the context of heavy metals, the study concludes negligible cancer risks associated with reclaimed water consumption over a lifetime. Quantitative structure-activity relationship and occurrence, persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity (OPBT) models were used to assess EC risk. The study screened and identified potential persistant, bio accumulating and toxic PBT ECs. Critical control points (CCPs) in the RWTP are identified, with brackish and seawater reverse osmosis (BWRO and SWRO) and advanced oxidation process (AOP) recognized as pivotal in hazard management. The study provides valuable insights on the removal of ECs and heavy metals in a wastewater reuse process and demonstrates potential of adopted process configuration in supplying safe drinking water from wastewater recycling.

Systematic literature review on the application of machine learning for the prediction of properties of different types of concrete

Background Concrete, a fundamental construction material, stands as a significant consumer of virgin resources, including sand, gravel, crushed stone, and fresh water. It exerts an immense demand, accounting for approximately 1.6 billion metric tons of Portland and modified Portland cement annually. Moreover, addressing extreme conditions with exceptionally nonlinear behavior necessitates a laborious calibration procedure in structural analysis and design methodologies. These methods are also difficult to execute in practice. To reduce time and effort, ML might be a viable option. Material and Methods A set of keywords are designed to perform the search PubMed search engine with filters to not search the studies below the year 2015. Furthermore, using PRISMA guidelines, studies were selected and after screening, a total of 42 studies were summarized. The PRISMA guidelines provide a structured framework to ensure transparency, accuracy, and completeness in reporting the methods and results of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The ability to methodically and accurately connect disparate parts of the literature is often lacking in review research. Some of the trickiest parts of original research include knowledge mapping, co-citation, and co-occurrence. Using this data, we were able to determine which locations were most active in researching machine learning applications for concrete, where the most influential authors were in terms of both output and citations and which articles garnered the most citations overall. Conclusion ML has become a viable prediction method for a wide variety of structural industrial applications, and hence it may serve as a potential successor for routinely used empirical model in the design of concrete structures. The non-ML structural engineering community may use this overview of ML methods, fundamental principles, access codes, ML libraries, and gathered datasets to construct their own ML models for useful uses. Structural engineering practitioners and researchers may benefit from this article’s incorporation of concrete ML studies as well as structural engineering datasets. The construction industry stands to benefit from the use of machine learning in terms of cost savings, time savings, and labor intensity. The statistical and graphical representation of contributing authors and participants in this work might facilitate future collaborations and the sharing of novel ideas and approaches among researchers and industry professionals. The limitation of this systematic review is that it is only PubMed based which means it includes studies included in the PubMed database.

Microbiological assessment of ready-to-eat foods and drinking water sources as a potential vehicle of bacterial pathogens in northern India.

Foodborne illnesses caused by the consumption of contaminated foods have frequent occurrences in developing countries. The incorporation of contaminated water in food processes, preparation, and serving is directly linked to several gastrointestinal infections. Keeping in view, this study was conducted to assess the microbial quality of both drinking water sources and commonly consumed fresh ready-to-eat (RTE) foods in the region. The drinking water samples from water sources and consumer points, as well as food samples from canteens, cafes, hotels, and restaurants, were collected for the microbiological analysis. Fifty-five percent (n = 286) of water samples were found to be positive for total coliforms with MPN counts ranging from 3 to 2600 (100 ml) -1. E. coli was detected in nearly 30% of the total water samples. Overall, 65% tap water samples were found unsatisfactory, followed by submersible (53%), filter (40%), and WTP (30%) sources. Furthermore, the examination of RTE foods (n = 80) found that 60% were of unsatisfactory microbial quality with high aerobic plate counts. The salads were the most contaminated category with highest mean APC 8.3 log CFU/g followed by pani puri, chats, and chutneys. Presence of coliforms and common enteropathogens was observed in both water and food samples. The detected isolates from the samples were identified as Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., and Staphylococcus spp. Based on these findings, microbiological quality was found compromised and this may pose hazard to public health. This exploratory study in the Punjab region also suggests that poor microbiological quality of water sources can be an important source of contamination for fresh uncooked RTE foods, thus transferring pathogens to the food chain. Therefore, only safe potable drinking water post-treatment should be used at all stages.

Spatial health risk assessments of nickel in the groundwater sources of a mining-impacted area

Mining activities have increased the potential risks of metal pollution to the groundwater resources in arid areas across the globe. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the health risk associated with nickel (Ni) in the groundwater sources of a mining-impacted area, South Khorasan, Eastern Iran. A total of 110 stations were included in the study, comprising 62 wells, 40 qanats, and 8 springs in summer, 2020. Initially, the collected samples were tested for temperature, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC). Subsequently, the samples were filtered and treated with nitric acid (HNO3) to measure the concentration of Ni using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Hazard quotient (HQ) and non-carcinogenic risk assessments were employed to evaluate the potential risks of Ni to the inhabitants. The findings revealed that the concentration of Ni ranged from 0.02 to 132.39 μg l−1, and only two stations exhibited Ni concentrations above the WHO standards (20 μg l−1). The results demonstrated that 98.21% of the sampled locations had HQ values below one, indicating negligible risk, while 1.78% of the stations exhibited HQ values of one or higher, representing a high non-carcinogenic risk for water consumers. Overall, the concentration of nickel in the groundwater of South Khorasan exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) limit solely in the Halvan station, posing a non-carcinogenic risk for the residents in that area, and therefore, additional efforts should be made to provide healthier groundwater to consumers in this region.

Estimation of water consumption volume and water efficiency in irrigated and rainfed agriculture based on the WaPOR database in Iran

ABSTRACT To evaluate the WaPOR model across the entire country of Iran, initially, 16 provinces located in four different climatic regions were selected for calculating and comparing the evapotranspiration using both the FAO-56 method and the WaPOR approach. The comparison of 10-day evapotranspiration values obtained from the FAO56 method and WaPOR demonstrates that the WaPOR model exhibits the highest correlation with FAO-56 values in semi-arid regions, with an R2 = 0.95 and an RMSE = 0.43. The analysis of evapotranspiration variations indicates that the evapotranspiration in the Caspian Sea and Zagros foothill regions has experienced more significant changes from 2015 to 2022. The annual analysis of net blue water productivity demonstrates that the net productivity in rainfed lands strongly depends on the precipitation received. Also, considering the importance of investigating the accuracy of biomass estimation, the correlation between the accuracy of biomass estimation and actual evapotranspiration was examined in four Iran climatic regions. Using the WaPOR model provides acceptable results for water consumption management and assessment in different regions and climates of Iran, particularly in agricultural lands. The WaPOR model can serve as a guide for determining reliable values of evapotranspiration and planning related to water resources in the agricultural sector in Iran.

Effect of design and operation parameters on solar‐driven membrane‐based desalination systems: An overview

AbstractDue to the scarcity of freshwater resources in many arid regions of the world, as well as rapidly growing populations and industrialization, various desalination technologies have been developed and enhanced to improve the performance of saline water purification with high quality. Integrating solar energy technologies with desalination systems would alleviate the running out of fossil fuel sources, reduce costs, and improve energy efficiency. Solar‐powered desalination systems could be a viable and efficient method for treating highly saline water for human consumption. Obtaining reliable and accurate design parameters for such hybrid systems plays a significant role in determining the system performance of solar‐driven desalination systems. The present review provides a comprehensive review of various solar‐driven membrane‐based desalination systems to investigate the impact of design and operation parameters for solar and desalination units on the effectiveness of the hybrid solar/desalination system. Recent advancements in utilizing numerous solar energy sources for desalination are analyzed herein. The economic implications of various membrane desalination operations for different solar energy sources are also discussed. It was revealed that the solar system design parameters, desalination unit characteristics, feed water properties, and climate conditions all affect the functionality and productivity of the membrane‐based solar‐powered desalination system. The feed pressure, number and shape of membranes, and the integrated solar system, all have significant impacts on the performance of the hybrid system. This article provides a pathway for desalination researchers to select the optimal design and operation parameters for hybrid solar‐powered membrane‐based desalination systems. Notably, they are found more feasible and sustainable than traditional desalination processes. Several related conclusions and future perspectives are reported herein.This article is categorized under: Sustainable Energy &gt; Solar Energy

Menopause: An Early Obesogenic Condition Associated with Vascular Smooth Muscle Dysfunction

Background: For several years menopause was considered a natural event faced by women entering their 40’s. Evidence has now recognized that menopause causes a series of metabolic and vascular complications that negatively affect women later in life. Approximately, 65% of American menopausal women become overweight or obese which increases their risk of developing vascular events, such as hypertension. However, the mechanisms by which menopause leads to weight gain and vascular complications remain understudied. By using a preclinical model of menopause, our preliminary data shows that menopausal mice exhibit early weight gain and development of metabolic disorders. Therefore, we hypothesize that menopause causes an early onset of obesity and metabolic disorders that may precede the development of vascular complications. Methods: To address our hypothesis, eight-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were randomized into two experimental groups: Control/Sham Group (n=9) and Ovariectomized (OVX) group (n=8). The OVX group had their ovaries surgically removed and the Sham Group underwent surgery, but the ovaries were not removed. Metabolic parameters, including glucose metabolism and metabolic cages, and body weight were analyzed along the 20 weeks of the experimental protocol. At the terminal experiments, thoracic aortas were isolated and mounted in a wire myograph for vascular reactivity studies. Phenylephrine (PE) concentration response curves were utilized to assess vascular smooth muscle functionality. Results: After one week following the surgery, the OVX group showed a significant increase in body weight (19.4 ± 0.37g vs. 18.2 ± 0.40g controls, p&lt;0.05), however, obesity was only confirmed in week 16 with the BMI (0.26 ± 0.003 vs. 0.24 ± 0.003 controls, p&lt;0.05) and abdominal circumference (8.4 ± 0.14cm vs. 8.05 ± 0.06cm controls, p&lt;0.05). Intriguingly, OVX group exhibited reduced food consumption (2.26 ± 0.11g vs. 3.36 ± 0.21g controls, p&lt;0.05) water intake (3.11 ± 0.54 mL vs. 4.48 ± 0.18mL controls, p&lt;0.05), fecal output (1.14 ± 0.07g vs. 2.10 ± 0.21g controls, p&lt;0.05) and water intake (3.11 ± 0.54mL vs. 4.48 ± 0.18mL controls, p&lt;0.05). Regarding glucose metabolism, the OVX group exhibited increased fasting glucose (125.4 ± 8.03mg/dL vs. 86.7 ± 2.67mg/dL controls, p&lt;0.05), glucose intolerance (AUC: 39086.88 ± 2201.01 vs. 22939.56 ± 3187.55 controls, p&lt;0.05), and increased triglycerides (116.0 ± 26.11mg/dL vs. 37.3 ± 4.23mg/dL controls, p&lt;0.05). Vascular studies revealed a significant vascular smooth muscle dysfunction in the OVX group as evidenced by reduced aortic contractility to phenylephrine (EMax: 8.15 ± 1.1mN vs.12.3 ± 1.53mN controls, p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Our results reveals that menopause causes an early onset of weight gain that is not related to increased consumption of food but instead to an decreased metabolism. Menopausal mice developed central obesity, high fasting glucose, and high triglycerides, which taken together characterize metabolic syndrome that was accompanied by vascular smooth muscle dysfunction. NIH. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Fundamental Problems of Water Resources Management in the Helmand River Basin, Afghanistan

The closed hydrology and the geopolitical nature of the Helmand River basin in terms of leadership, management, and use of water resources have created serious threats to its integrity, environmental health, and human security in this river basin. The Helmand River basin, where about 8 million people live, includes about 49 percent of the soil and 11 percent of the water flow of this country. Agricultural sectors and related industries are the main drivers of the economy in this basin and due to the increasing need for food in the country and the region, the population shift towards cities, industrialization, and most importantly climate change and water shortage, competition between major water consumers in this basin is increasing. Despite the increasing number of studies on the water management of the Helmand River basin, no practical research carried out to strengthen and summarize the common conclusions and findings related to the fundamental problems facing the water resources management of this river basin. Therefore, in this article, to fill the aforementioned gap, all related documents, studies, and topics have been comprehensively reviewed and analyzed. To achieve this goal, the qualitative-analytical research method was used to analyze and find the key issues raised, and as a result, the basic problems facing the water resources management of this basin were investigated as much as possible. In the following, the necessary suggestions are also presented so that by implementing it, this country would be able to solve the existing problems by using its hydro political capacities and opportunities and it would also be placed at the center of the water interactions in the river basin, to provide a sustainable and all-round development of the country.

PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND HEAVY METAL CONTENT ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY IN KEANA AND NASARAWA–EGGON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

This study conducted a thorough evaluation of the physicochemical parameters of various drinking water sources in Keana and Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa State. The assessment involved the use of standard methods to analyze the water samples. Additionally, the heavy metal contents were determined using the atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. The findings revealed that the pH levels ranged from 7.36 to 8.16 in Keana (KN) and 5.70 to 5.80 in Nasarawa Eggon (NE), with mean pH values of 7.74 and 5.74, respectively. The conductivity varied from 3.94 to 4.56 µS/cm in KN and 510 to 1760 µS/cm in NE. Alkalinity content ranged from 4.06 to 4.52 mgL-1 in KN and 45 to 50 mgL-1 in NE. Nitrate, acidity, chloride, phosphate, TDS, DO, and BOD levels were also assessed. The metal concentrations included Pb, Mn, Cr, Zn, Fe and Cu, and were within permissible limits, except for Pb and Ni, which exceeded WHO specifications. This study provides crucial insights into the water quality of these regions, essential for ensuring the safety of water for human consumption and other activities.

Water quality assessment of two perennial streams in a rainforest region of Nigeria

Physical and chemical parameters are vital indicators to determine the quality of water people consume. Many people rely on collected stream water for consumption and other daily needs because of non-availability or inadequate supply of pipe borne water in most Nigerian settlements. This study was carried out to assess the physical and chemical characteristics of Ibiekuma and Ogidikpe streams in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. The physical and chemical parameters (temperature, pH, turbidity and dissolved oxygen) of the water samples were determined using standard analytical techniques. All parameters analyzed revealed compliance with drinking water standard except pH in site A (Ibiekuma Stream) that was below permissible limit in some locations. Although the parameters examined were within permissible limits, simple hygiene and public awareness should be encouraged to avoid increase in contamination.

Applying user-centered design to improve drinking water consumer confidence reports: A Baltimore case study

The US Environmental Protection Agency is revising its policy on drinking water quality reports for consumers. These reports are intended to enhance the public’s “right to know” and to spur action to protect and promote safe water. However, these reports are known to be highly technical and difficult to access compromising their communication value. This study engaged a 10-person focus group to gather evidence on how these reports can be improved. We applied user-centered design principles to understand public drinking water consumer information needs and preferences and to develop new communication tools and methods. Through a set of in-depth interviews, we learned that most participants were unaware of the report until introduced to it during the study. The focus group participants voiced preferences for: better ways to convey technical information; more health information; a clearer understanding of costs and billing; and neighborhood or household level water quality information. Following the interviews, we convened two rounds of small group meetings to create new report designs and to review and refine the designs. The focus group developed a one-page summary statement, water contaminant trend charts, an interactive map, and other recommendations on ways to improve dissemination of the report. The project results, focus group recommendations and designs were submitted to the US Environmental Protection Agency for consideration as the policy for these reports is finalized. We believe these findings provide valuable insights into water quality communication challenges and that this approach is widely applicable and can be informative for water utilities as they prepare future reports.

ANALISIS PENGARUH HARDBALL STRATEGI (DESAIN PRODUK, TAGLINE DAN PESAN IKLAN) TERHADAP KEPUTUSAN PEMBELIAN ADES DI KABUPATEN JEMBER

This research aims to determine the influence of product design, taglines and advertising messages as hardball strategies on purchasing decisions for Ades Jember drinking water. This type of research is quantitative. The population in this study were all Ades drinking water consumers in Jember using the Ferdinand formula sampling technique. The data source in this research uses primary data, namely questionnaires. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression, normality test, multicollinearity test, heteroscedasticity test, t test, f test, and determination test which were carried out computationally with the SPSS program. The results of this research show that product design, taglines and advertising messages have a positive and significant effect on purchasing decisions for Ades Jember drinking water.

Virtual Water Embodied in Interregional Energy Trade in China: A City-Level Analysis.

Large volumes of water are used in energy production for both primary (e.g., fuel extraction) and secondary energy (e.g., electricity). In countries such as China, with a large internal trade in fuels and long-distance transmission grids, this can result in considerable water inequalities. Previous research focused on the water impacts of energy production at the national and provincial levels, which is too coarse to identify the spatial differences and make specific case studies. Here, we take the next step toward a spatially explicit economically integrated water-use for energy assessment by combining a bottom-up assessment approach with a city-level multiregional input-output model. Specifically, we examine the water consumption of energy production in China, distinguishing between water for primary and secondary energy at the level of coal mines, oil and gas fields, and power plants for the first time. Of the total energy-related freshwater consumption of 4.9 Gm3 in 2017, primary energy accounted for 19% (940 Mm3) and secondary energy accounted for 81% (3955 Mm3). Coal was the largest water consumer for both primary and secondary energy (540 and 3880 Mm3, respectively), with both oil (361, and 0.5 Mm3, respectively) and gas (7 and 69 Mm3, respectively) also consuming large amounts. Intercity virtual water, that is, water embodied in energy trade across cities, reached 54% (2.6 Gm3) of energy-related freshwater consumption. Across China, 32% of cities see a bilateral trade in secondary- and primary-energy-related virtual water (e.g., Daqing city exports virtual water embodied in primary fuel to other cities that is then used to produce electricity in those cities, part of which is used back in Daqing via transmission). For these 32% of cities, 73% export more virtual water than import and 27% import more virtual water than export. This study reveals significant differences in city-level virtual water patterns (e.g., scale and direction) between primary and secondary energy to provide information for cities about their virtual water inflow and outflow and the potential collaboration partners for water management.