Water Conservation and Efficiency

A link for you

2016-04-04T09:08:00.001-04:00

You should read this!

http://wlos.com/news/local/water-main-break-in-east-asheville

Dangerous Levels of E. coli Found in Hominy Creek - WLOS - ABC

2016-01-14T07:48:00.001-05:00

http://www.wlos.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/Dangerous-Levels-of-E-coli-Found-in-Hominy-Creek-250135.shtml#.VpeYc6BOmBZ

Thinking about a vacation to Rio? Heres something to be aware of!! News - WLOS ABC13 - Asheville, NC

2015-12-02T09:44:00.001-05:00

http://www.wlos.com/template/inews_wire/wires.international/3b625f6e-www.wlos.com.shtml#.Vl8CoaAo7qA

Asheville water runs dirty due to common system maintenance.

2015-02-21T08:15:00.001-05:00

With an H2O EASY PureWaterGenie While House Water Filter Asheville residents would never have to worry about this common situation again.

ENVIRO-NEWS: EPA Climate Change and Water News

2013-11-12T20:00:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Nov 7, 2013 2:27 PM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Climate Change and Water News
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>
Cc:

From: water_climate_change@epa.gov [mailto:water_climate_change@epa.gov]
Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2013 1:23 PM
Subject: EPA Climate Change and Water News

EPA Climate Change and Water News
To learn more about climate change and water related trainings, conferences, webinars, and other events, visit: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/climatechange/Calendar-of-Events.cfm.

U.S. EPA News

Draft EPA Office of Water Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan Released for Public Review and Comment

EPA has released its draft Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plans for public review and comment, including the plan of the Office of Water. The Implementation Plans provide detailed information about the actions EPA plans to take to help communities adapt to a changing climate. The impacts of a changing climate, including increased extreme weather, floods, and droughts, affect EPA's work to protect clean air and water. The Draft EPA Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plans recognize that EPA must integrate climate adaptation planning into its programs, policies, rules, and operations to ensure that the Agency's work continues to be effective even as the climate changes. The Office of Water's Plan provides an overview of the opportunities available within the EPA to respond to the challenges that a changing climate poses to protect the quality of national water resources and drinking water. The public comment period closes on January 3, 2014.

For more information, visit: http://epa.gov/climatechange/impacts-adaptation/fed-programs/EPA-impl-plans.html.

EPA Releases Report on Importance of Water to Economy EPA has released a report on the Importance of Water to the U.S. Economy.

This report is intended to help raise the awareness of water's importance to our national economic welfare and to summarize information that public and private decision-makers can use to better manage the nation's water resources. It highlights EPA's review of the literature and practice on the importance of water to the U.S. economy, identifies key data gaps, and describes the implications of the study's findings for future research. EPA hopes this report will be a catalyst for a broader discussion about water's critical role in the U.S. economy. To view the report, visit: http://water.epa.gov/action/importanceofwater/index.cfm.

Other Federal Agency News

President Issues Executive Order on Preparing for Climate Change and Creates Task Force

President Obama has signed an Executive Order on Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change, directing federal agencies to take a series of steps to make it easier for American communities to strengthen their resilience to extreme weather and prepare for other impacts of climate change. The Executive Order addresses modernizing federal programs to support climate-resilient investments; managing lands and waters for climate preparedness and resilience; providing information, data, and tools; and planning for climate change related risk. Also established is a Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience, comprised of state, local and tribal leaders from across the country that will use their first-hand experiences in building climate preparedness and resilience in their communities to inform their recommendations to the Administration.

To view a fact sheet, visit:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/11/01/fact-sheet-executive-order-climate-preparedness.

To view the Executive Order, visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/11/01/executive-order-preparing-united-states-impacts-climate-change.

Bureau of Reclamation Releases Climate Change Literature Synthesis Report

The third edition Literature Synthesis on Climate Change Implications for Water and Environmental Resources from the Bureau of Reclamation offers a summary of recent literature on the current and projected effects of climate change on hydrology and water resources. It is organized around the five Reclamation regions which correspond roughly with the Columbia River basin, the Sacramento-San Joaquin River basin, the upper Colorado River basin, the lower Colorado River basin, and the Great Plains. The report was externally reviewed by staff from the five NOAA Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments centers located in the western United States. The information in this report is meant for use in a range of planning studies including environmental impact statements, biological assessments, and feasibility studies. Previous versions were published in 2011 and 2009.

To learn more, visit: http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=45024.

NOAA and Sea Grant Release Report on Cost-Efficient Climate Adaptation Best Practices in North Atlantic Communities

Undertaken in an effort to raise awareness of best practices in leading North Atlantic communities, this project was sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration North Atlantic Regional Team and Sea Grant. The report, "Cost-Efficient Climate Change Adaptation in the North Atlantic," looks at community-level coastal flood management and climate change adaptation from Virginia to Maine. The authors identified low-cost, innovative ways that coastal communities are addressing climate change and related coastal hazard management best practices at the local level by looking at studies, laws, policies, outreach tools, and infrastructure investments that were voluntarily adopted by 34 local municipalities. For more information and to view the report, visit: http://seagrant.uconn.edu/CEANA/.

Other News

Columbia University's Center for Climate Change Law Publishes Handbook on Legal Tools to Limit Risks of Climate Change for Coastal Communities Columbia University's Center for Climate Change Law has published "Managed Coastal Retreat: A Legal Handbook on Shifting Development Away from Vulnerable Areas," which examines the legal tools available to state and local governments to discourage or prevent development or redevelopment along risky coasts and other areas susceptible to natural hazards. Managed retreat - the planned process of moving development away from vulnerable areas - is a controversial concept as many homeowners would prefer to rebuild after a destructive storm and take their chances. More frequent and intense storms are projected in the coming decades however, and massive public spending for construction that may be washed away is not always the best path.

The handbook describes legal principles and precedents that can serve as useful guides for new policies. It also examines case studies and lessons learned and makes recommendations based on the experiences of states and municipalities that have faced destructive storms and other natural hazards and implemented managed retreat to protect against future disasters. To learn more about the handbook,

visit: http://www.law.columbia.edu/media_inquiries/news_events/2013/october2013/managed-retreat-handbook.

American Meteorological Society Journal Releases Study on Climate Change Sensitivity Assessment and Adaptation Planning for Public Water Supply

A new study in Volume 17, Issue 23 (October 2013) of the journal Earth Interactions, assesses climate change risk to municipal water supplies. Water supply risk is often conducted by hydrologic modeling specific to local watersheds and infrastructure to ensure that outputs are compatible with existing planning frameworks and processes. This study leverages the modeling capacity of an operational National Weather Service River Forecast Center to explore the potential impacts of future climate-driven hydrologic changes on factors important to planning at the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities. Hydrologic modeling results for the study area show that temperature changes alone will lead to earlier and reduced runoff volume. In addition, the largest flow reductions occur during the high water demand months of May-September.

This study explores the consequences of climate change for the reliability of Salt Lake City's water supply system using scenarios that include hydrologic changes in average conditions, severe drought scenarios, and future water demand test cases.

To learn more, visit: http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/abs/10.1175/2012EI000501.1.

________________________________________
This newsletter is produced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water (EPA). If you have questions related to the newsletter or want to submit an item, email the editor at water_climate_change@epa.gov. For past issues of EPA Climate Change and Water News, as well as further information on climate change impacts on water resources, visit www.epa.gov/water/climatechange. For more information on EPA's climate change activities, visit www.epa.gov/climatechange. [deletions]

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library. The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
owner-Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov.
***********************************************

ENVIRO-NEWS: 55% of US Rivers and stream are unhealthy and in poor condition.

2013-03-26T11:37:00.001-04:00

EPA Survey Finds More Than Half of the Nation's River and Stream Miles in Poor Condition

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Mar 26, 2013 11:15 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Survey Finds More Than Half of the Nation's River and Stream Miles in Poor Condition
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

From: U.S. EPA [mailto:usaepa@govdelivery.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 10:11 AM
Subject: U.S. EPA News Release: EPA Survey Finds More Than Half of the Nation's River and Stream Miles in Poor Condition

CONTACT:
Stacy Kika (News Media Only)
Kika.stacy@epa.gov
202-564-0906
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2013

EPA Survey Finds More Than Half of the Nation's River and Stream Miles in Poor Condition

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released the results of the first comprehensive survey looking at the health of thousands of stream and river miles across the country, finding that more than half – 55 percent – are in poor condition for aquatic life.

"The health of our Nation's rivers, lakes, bays and coastal waters depends on the vast network of streams where they begin, and this new science shows that America's streams and rivers are under significant pressure," said Office of Water Acting Assistant Administrator Nancy Stoner. "We must continue to invest in protecting and restoring our nation's streams and rivers as they are vital sources of our drinking water, provide many recreational opportunities, and play a critical role in the economy."

The 2008-2009 National Rivers and Stream Assessment reflects the most recent data available, and is part of EPA's expanded effort to monitor waterways in the U.S. and gather scientific data on the condition of the Nation's water resources.

EPA partners, including states and tribes, collected data from approximately 2,000 sites across the country. EPA, state and university scientists analyzed the data to determine the extent to which rivers and streams support aquatic life, how major stressors may be affecting them and how conditions are changing over time.

Findings of the assessment include:

- Nitrogen and phosphorus are at excessive levels. Twenty-seven percent of the nation's rivers and streams have excessive levels of nitrogen, and 40 percent have high levels of phosphorus. Too much nitrogen and phosphorus in the water—known as nutrient pollution—causes significant increases in algae, which harms water quality, food resources and habitats, and decreases the oxygen that fish and other aquatic life need to survive. Nutrient pollution has impacted many streams, rivers, lakes, bays and coastal waters for the past several decades, resulting in serious environmental and human health issues, and impacting the economy.

- Streams and rivers are at an increased risk due to decreased vegetation cover and increased human disturbance. These conditions can cause streams and rivers to be more vulnerable to flooding, erosion, and pollution. Vegetation along rivers and streams slows the flow of rainwater so it does not erode stream banks, removes pollutants carried by rainwater and helps maintain water temperatures that support healthy streams for aquatic life. Approximately 24 percent of the rivers and streams monitored were rated poor due to the loss of healthy vegetative cover.

- Increased bacteria levels. High bacteria levels were found in nine percent of stream and river miles making those waters potentially unsafe for swimming and other recreation.

- Increased mercury levels. More than 13,000 miles of rivers have fish with mercury levels that may be unsafe for human consumption. For most people, the health risk from mercury by eating fish and shellfish is not a health concern, but some fish and shellfish contain higher levels of mercury that may harm an unborn baby or young child's developing nervous system.

EPA plans to use this new data to inform decision making about addressing critical needs around the country for rivers, streams, and other waterbodies. This comprehensive survey will also help develop improvements to monitoring these rivers and streams across jurisdictional boundaries and enhance the ability of states and tribes to assess and manage water quality to help protect our water, aquatic life, and human health. Results are available for a dozen geographic and ecological regions of the country.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/aquaticsurveys

R045

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library. The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
owner-Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov.
***********************************************

Dry conditions expected for most of the Western United States

2013-03-19T11:25:00.001-04:00

It looks like conditions throughout the western U.S. are set for another dry summer season. Mountain snowpack is light and early melt is occurring. This is not good news for states that have experienced record heat and droughts during the previous couple seasons.

For full details of the USDA report released today visit:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/newsroom/releases/?cid=STELPRDB1083269

ENVIRO-NEWS: EPA Marks March 18-24 as Fifth Annual Fix a Leak Week

2013-03-18T10:47:00.001-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Mar 18, 2013 10:41 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Marks March 18-24 as Fifth Annual Fix a Leak Week
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

From: U.S. EPA [mailto:usaepa@govdelivery.com]
Sent: Monday, March 18, 2013 10:13 AM
Subject: U.S. EPA News Release (HQ): EPA Marks March 18-24 as Fifth Annual Fix a Leak Week

CONTACT:
Molly Hooven
hooven.molly@epa.gov
202-564-2313
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2013

EPA Marks March 18-24 as Fifth Annual Fix a Leak Week

One in every 10 homes has a leak that is wasting at least 90 gallons of water per day

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) WaterSense program encourages Americans to check and replace leaky plumbing fixtures and sprinkler systems, helping households save more than 10,000 gallons of water per year and as much as 10 percent on utility bills.

"Easy-to-fix household leaks waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water annually nationwide, which is equal to the amount of water used by more than 11 million homes," said EPA Acting Administrator for the Office of Water Nancy Stoner. "We're not just wasting water; families also lose money from leaks with higher utility bills. That's why Fix a Leak Week is so important, and why we encourage everyone to take a few simple steps that add up to make a significant positive impact."

In just 10 minutes, businesses and homeowners can: check winter water bills and fixtures for water waste; twist and tighten pipe and hose connections; and consider replacing broken or inefficient fixtures with WaterSense-labeled models.

If winter water usage for a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, it's likely that the home has a leak problem. Here are some easy tips:
• Check toilets for silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank at the back and, if after 10 minutes, color shows up in the bowl before flushing, it may be time to make an easy repair and replace the flapper.
• Check outdoor hoses for damage from winter frost and tighten connections at the water source.
• For in-ground sprinkler systems, a professional certified through a WaterSense-labeled program can inspect sprinkler heads and pipes for signs of leakage and help homeowners maintain an efficient system and healthy lawn.
• Check additional plumbing and outdoor fixtures for leaks. They may just need a quick twist or pipe tape.

WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by EPA, seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water with water-efficient products, new homes, and services. Since the program's inception in 2006, WaterSense has helped consumers save 287 billion gallons of water and $4.7 billion in water and energy bills.

Learn more about fixing leaks, find a certified irrigation professional, or search for WaterSense labeled plumbing and irrigation products: http://www.epa.gov/watersense

R039

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library. The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
owner-Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov.
***********************************************

How to get a dual flush toilet conversion kit FREE!

2013-02-25T12:31:00.001-05:00

This just in:
Through World Water Day 2013 (March 22nd) you can get the Dual Flush Pro complete toilet conversion kit at no charge and only for a limited time.

In recognition of World Water Day and the EPA Fix A Leak Week Campaign, the folks at DualFlushPro.com have really done something special. I've seen other manufacturers do product giveaways to help bring attention to world water resource concerns, but this is truly spectacular. In most cases the manufacturer promotions are self serving, and geared toward driving sales by luring consumers in with something of little value and then pushing an "up sell". This does not seem to be the case at Dual Flush Pro. They are doing exactly as the promotion indicates; no strings, no up sell, no email harvesting, no bait and switch. You pay only a ten dollar flat rate shipping fee and you get exactly the same complete kit that you would get if you purchased the DualFlushPro kit at full price.

This kit has long been my choice in a dual flush conversion kit for the money, product quality and customer support. It is probably the most widely used dual flush toilet set up in the world. The design accommodates most tank variables which is why several manufacturers use the design in new model dual flush toilets.

Go to http://www.DualFlushPro.com and get the best toilet conversion kit available,, for FREE!!!

Tell your friends.
AP

Sloan Valve Company Drops Aqus Geywater Recyling System

2013-02-21T11:09:00.000-05:00

Well, after months of uncertainty we have official word that Sloan valve Company is no longer marketing the Aqus Grey-water Recycling System. My frustrations with a lack of communication with from Sloan management personnel are over after having received a call from Bill Madison, National Sales Manager at Sloan Valve Company. Bill confirmed my suspicions and stated that "the Aqus product is no longer supported."

Beginning in January 2012, I had been in pretty consistent communication with Mark Sanders, inventor & founding member of Water Saver Technologies LLC , in an ongoing discussion regarding product shipment delays due to a pump performance and supplier issue. In the fall of 2012, Mark took a sudden and unnanounced departure from Sloan Valve; which was a pretty good indication that my suspensions were correct.

Sloan Valve Company initiated several improvements to the Aqus and marketed it at price points that truly made it a practical investment for the average homeowner. Unfortunately Sloan was never really a good fit for the product as their business model is primarily focused on the commercial market and the Aqus really isn't suited for commercial application.

Whether or not Water Saver Technologies will bring the product back to market is still uncertain. I 'm sure they have some legal hurdles to cross with regard to the contractual arrangement with Sloan.

I still believe the product has great potential in the residential market as an affordable, practical greywater reclamation system and hope to see it become available again soon.

I look forward to providing further updates as they become available.

AP

www.AskAquaPro.com
AquaPro@AskaquaPro.com

ENVIRO-NEWS: Jan. 3 & 4 Webinars on EPA’s Study of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources: Progress Report

2013-01-03T11:22:00.001-05:00

Whether you are a friend or for of Hydraulic Fracturing, this upcoming webinar will provide current information on a recent study by the EPA.

AP
---
Jan. 3 & 4 Webinars on EPA's Study of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources: Progress Report

Information at
http://www.epa.gov/hfstudy/getinvolved.html

ENVIRO-NEWS: Rainwater Catchment Design and Installation Standard--Public Review

2013-01-02T15:40:00.001-05:00

If you are an advocate for rainwater harvesting, this is important to you....

Forwarded from
http://aspe.org/publicreview

Rainwater Catchment Design and Installation Standard

Comment period: November 29, 2012 - January, 18 2013

This Rainwater Catchment Design and Installation Standard (hereinafter referred to as the Standard) has been developed by a joint effort of the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) and the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), with sponsorship support from the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. The purpose of this Standard is to assist engineers, designers, plumbers, builders/developers, local government, and end users in safely implementing a rainwater catchment system. This Standard is intended to apply to new rainwater catchment installations, as well as alterations, additions, maintenance, and repairs to existing installations.

[More information at
http://aspe.org/publicreview ]

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library. The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

ENVIRO-NEWS: EPA Releases Update on Ongoing Hydraulic Fracturing Study

2012-12-22T12:26:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Dec 21, 2012 2:19 PM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Releases Update on Ongoing Hydraulic Fracturing Study
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

From: U.S. EPA [mailto:usaepa@govdelivery.com]
Sent: Friday, December 21, 2012 11:05 AM
Subject: Research News Release (HQ): EPA Releases Update on Ongoing Hydraulic Fracturing Study

CONTACT:
Julia P. Valentine (NEWS MEDIA ONLY)
valentine.julia@epa.gov
202-564-0496
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 21, 2012

EPA Releases Update on Ongoing Hydraulic Fracturing Study

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today provided an update on its ongoing national study currently underway to better understand any potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. Results of the study, which Congress requested EPA to complete, are expected to be released in a draft for public and peer review in 2014. The update provided today outlines work currently underway, including the status of research projects that will inform the final study. It is important to note that while this progress report outlines the framework for the final study, it does not draw conclusions about the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources, which will be made in the final study.

As the administration and EPA has made clear, natural gas has a central role to play in our energy future, and this important domestic fuel source has extensive economic, energy security, and environmental benefits. The study EPA is currently undertaking is part of EPA's focus to ensure that as the Administration continues to work to expand production of this important domestic resource safely and responsibly.

Among the information released today are updates on 18 research projects and details on the agency's research approach as well as next steps for these ongoing projects and analyses. Today's update follows the public release, in November 2011, of the agency's final study plan, which underwent scientific peer review and public comment.

EPA has engaged stakeholders, including industry, to ensure that the study reflects current practices in hydraulic fracturing. EPA continues to request data and information from the public and stakeholders and has put out a formal request for information which can be accessed through the federal register at: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/11/09/2012-27452/request-for-information-to-inform-hydraulic-fracturing-research-related-to-drinking-water-resources

EPA also expects to release a draft report of results from the study in late 2014. The study has been designated a Highly Influential Scientific Assessment, meaning it will receive the highest level of peer review in accordance with EPA's peer review handbook before it is finalized. The 2014 draft report will synthesize the results from the ongoing projects together with the scientific literature to answer the study's main research questions.

EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) is forming a panel of independent experts which will review and provide their individual input on the ongoing study to EPA. The SAB will provide an opportunity for the public to offer comments for consideration by the individual panel members. For more information on the SAB process, please visit: http://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabpeople.nsf/WebCommittees/BOARD

More information: www.epa.gov/hfstudy

R 205
Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.
[deletions]

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library. The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
owner-Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov.
***********************************************

ENVIRO-NEWS: EPA Releases Update on Ongoing Hydraulic Fracturing Study

2012-12-21T14:23:00.001-05:00

ENVIRO-NEWS: EPA Releases National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change

2012-12-13T15:22:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Dec 13, 2012 11:02 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Releases National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

From: Weinberg.Anne@epamail.epa.gov [mailto:Weinberg.Anne@epamail.epa.gov]
Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2012 10:16 AM
To: NPS Information Exchange
Subject: [npsinfo] EPA Releases National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change

EPA Releases National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change

EPA has released the "National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change," which describes how EPA's water-related programs plan to address the impacts of climate change and provides long-term visions, goals and strategic actions for the management of sustainable water resources for future generations. The strategy, which builds upon EPA's first climate change and water strategy released in 2008, focuses on five key areas: infrastructure, watersheds and wetlands, coastal and ocean waters, water quality, and working with Tribes. It emphasizes working collaboratively with partners and stakeholders, developing information and tools, incorporating adaptation into core programs, and managing risks of impacts including from extreme weather events. The 2012 strategy also includes goals and strategic actions for EPA in 10 geographic climate regions. For more, visit http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange .

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library. The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
owner-Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov.
***********************************************

Conserving water isn't just about water efficiency

2012-10-26T11:58:00.001-04:00

Everything you do, every day is in some way related to water. Water conservation can be as simple as turning off a light when you don't need it on or recycling a plastic bottle rather than throwing it in the trash. The important thing awareness. How often do you drive by a house or place of business (day or night) and see a light on that doesn't need to be on?

- A recent United States-wide tally shows that power generation requires 655 billion gallons of water a year.

- Useing a compact fluorescent light bulb rather than an incandecant will not only save 60-70% in energy costs, it will also save as much as 4,000 gallons of water every year.

- Letting a hot water faucet run for 5 minutes uses about the same amount of energy as burning a 60-watt bulb for 14 hours.
This equates to approximately 8 to 16gallonsof water used to burn one 60-Watt light bulb for 12 hours per day. Over the duration of one year this one incandescent light bulb would consume about 3,000 to 6,300 gallons of water. It is estimated that there are about 111 million occupied housing units in the U.S. (United States Census Bureau 2005, so it much higher now presumably). If each housing unit was to burn one 60 watt incandecent light bulb for 12 hours each day, over the course of a year, it would add up to 336 to 656 billion gallons of water use.

- One recycled plastic bottle saves enough energy to power a 60 watt light bulb for 6 hours.

ENVIRO NEWS: USDA Drought Assistance Minimizes Impacts While Spurring Improvements on 1M Acres of American Farmland

2012-10-23T10:48:00.001-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Oct 23, 2012 10:23 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] USDA Drought Assistance Minimizes Impacts While Spurring Improvements on 1M Acres of American Farmland
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

From: USDA Office of Communications [mailto:usda@public.govdelivery.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2012 10:02 AM
Subject: USDA Drought Assistance Minimizes Impacts While Spurring Improvements on 1M Acres of American Farmland
[deletions]

Release No. 0333.12
Contact:
Office of Communications (202)720-4623

USDA Drought Assistance Minimizes Impacts While Spurring Improvements on 1M Acres of American Farmland

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2012 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) efforts to help producers rebound from drought have touched more than one million acres of farmland across the country as nearly 2,000 producers took advantage of conservation funding targeted to drought-stricken areas by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS made more than $27 million available to farmers and ranchers to make conservation improvements, spurring recovery and ensuring lands are more drought resistant in the future.

"This tremendous response reflects the severity of this year's drought conditions, "Agriculture Secretary Vilsack said."The level of producer participation is also a testament to the hard work of USDA and other federal agencies to help farmers and ranchers weather one of the worst droughts in decades."

NRCS provided financial and technical assistance to help crop and livestock producers in 22 states apply conservation practices, including conservation tillage, cover crops, nutrient management, prescribed grazing, livestock watering facilities and water conservation practices. These actions build healthier soil that lead to better harvests and cleaner water and air.

"The conservation investments made by these producers today will continue to improve the resilience of their lands in the face of drought as well as other natural events that are out of their control," Vilsack said. "The farmers and ranchers that have voluntarily implemented conservation improvements have taken an important step toward building drought resistance into their operations."
Exceptional drought continues to dominate sections of Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming, causing widespread losses of crops and pastures and water shortages in reservoirs, streams and wells.

Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, South Carolina and Utah are under extreme drought, with accompanying major losses of crops and pasture, widespread water shortages and restrictions on water use.

See the total NRCS drought assistance received by each state < http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/?cid=STELPRDB1048818 >.

Producers and landowners are encouraged to visit the NRCS website < http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ > or stop by their local NRCS office < http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?agency=nrcs > to find out if they are eligible for drought assistance.

Learn more about WHIP and EQIP and other NRCS programs < http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs >.

#
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

#
[deletions]

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The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
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ENVIRO-NEWS: Mississippi National River and Recreation Area releases first-ever State of the River Report

2012-10-09T13:49:00.001-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Oct 9, 2012 1:34 PM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] Mississippi National River and Recreation Area releases first-ever State of the River Report
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

Forwarded from
http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/printheadline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=12790

MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL RIVER & RECREATION AREA

Mississippi National River and Recreation Area releases first-ever State of the River Report

How is the Mississippi River? Can I swim in it? Is water quality improving? Can I eat the fish I catch? National Park Service staff have helped develop the State of the River Report, which assembles and analyzes a wealth of data-and communicates in plain terms how the river is doing, in order to answer these frequently-posed questions.

Forty years after the passage of the Clean Water Act, a new landmark report on the health of the Mississippi River shows that progress has been made, but there is also cause for concern as new issues emerge.

The State of the River Report was just released by the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MISS), in partnership with the Friends of the Mississippi River. The report examines the status and trends of 13 key indicators of the river's health and water quality, including bacteria, phosphorus, nitrate and sediment content, as well as the river's viability for recreation, fish and wildlife.

"The Mississippi River is a complex natural system, with many factors affecting its overall health and vitality," said Paul Labovitz, Superintendent of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. "This new report provides an important benchmark as we assess how the river is doing compared to the past, and which efforts have been effective at improving its health and water quality. In short, the report reveals that there has been a great deal of progress, but that there are areas of concern due to changes in how we use land, and the introduction of pollutants and invasive species the system."

Among the positive trends, bald eagle, mussel and fish populations are increasing, which are signs of a restored river that is home to healthy and abundant wildlife. On the other hand, recreation and aquatic habitat on the river face being degraded by excess sediment and phosphorus, and some portions of the river are impaired with excess bacteria. In addition, river flows and nitrate concentrations have both increased significantly over time, while invasive Asian carp continue to move upstream. And a number of additional contaminants, such as triclosan and pharmaceuticals, present risks to the river that, while not yet fully understood, are cause for concern due to their potential impacts on human and aquatic health.

"The solutions to these problems will require new tools and decisive public action before they move beyond our reach," said Lark Weller, Water Quality Coordinator for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. "We hope this report will help people better understand the challenges we all face in trying to preserve and improve the river, and we also want to provide strategies for doing so."

The report includes a companion guide with strategies for individual action. Its Stewardship Guide provides practical steps for individuals to take in their homes, yards, and communities to improve the health of the Mississippi River. The State of the River Report and its companion guides are available at www.stateoftheriver.com .

The State of the River Report was funded, in part, by the McKnight Foundation, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, and the Capitol Region Watershed District.

More Information...

Contact Information
Name: Lark Weller
Phone Number: 651-293-8442
Email: lark_weller@nps.gov

Posted: September 27, 2012

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
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Library. The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
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You can contact the list owner at
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Keeping Pharmaceuticals Out Of The Water Supply

2012-08-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

There is a lot to be concerned about when it comes to contaminants in our water supplies. One of the biggest concern in recent years has been the discovery of measurable concentrations of Pharmaceutical drugs in public and private water supplies. Improvements in our ability to test for such contaminants has lead to a realization that these drugs are present and in concentrations that are concerning to say the least. The EPA ha funded a Pilot "Mail-Back Program" in an effort to asses the viability of preventing consumers from disposing of these leftover prescriptions medications in ways that allow them to get in into the water supply systems. Below is a press release that came out today about the EPA funded program.

ENVIRO NEWS:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Report Released on Pharmaceutical Mail-back Pilot Program Funded by EPA

Agency provided $150,000 grant to University of Maine's Center on Aging
to undertake study

WASHINGTON -Through a grant awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), the University of Maine's Center on Aging has completed
the first statewide mail-back pilot program for managing pharmaceutical
waste from consumers. Studies show that pharmaceuticals are present in
our nation's waterbodies and that certain drugs may cause ecological
harm. EPA is currently evaluating the potential risks associated with
pharmaceuticals and personal care products on public health and aquatic
life.

"This pilot is important because it has filled research gaps about the
volumes and types of medications that can end up in our waters, and
affect our ecosystems," said Peter S. Silva, assistant administrator for
EPA's Office of Water. "The pilot also gave residents a way to serve as
environmental stewards to reduce water pollution."

The program included the use of mailers to return unused and unwanted
medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, from households.

Maine Care (Maine's Medicaid program) established a limit for certain
drugs on the quantity that can be filled with an initial prescription.
This policy is targeted at reducing the supply and accumulation of
unused medications and to prevent pollution. The Maine legislature also
recognized the value of the take-back pilot and enacted legislation to
continue the program for an additional two years. As part of the EPA
grant, the University of Maine's Center on Aging developed a handbook
on the project and collected data on the type and amount of unused
medications.

The grant is part of EPA's larger efforts to protect the health of older
adults and encourage older adults to engage in environmental stewardship
in their communities. Older adults were actively involved in the design
and implementation of the safe medicine disposal; for Maine pilot
program.

To view the executive summary of the report:
http://www.epa.gov/aging/RX-
report-Exe-Sum/

CONTACT:
Enesta Jones
jones.enesta@epa.gov
202-564-7873
202-564-4355

Pharmaceuticals in my water is very bad news.
AP

AquaPro@AskaquaPro.com
www.AquaProSolutions.com,
www.AquaEnvi.org,
www.AshevilleGreenPlumbing.com,

Are you still in denial of climate change?

2012-08-09T11:56:00.001-04:00

Here is an important article that may help those who still doubt the effects of global climate change.

By James E. Hansen: Climate change brings the heat James E. Hansen Friday, Aug 3, 2012 James E. Hansen directs the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

When I testified before the Senate in the hot summer of 1988 ,I warned of the kind of future that climate change would bring to us and our planet. I painted a grim picture of the consequences of steadily increasing temperatures, driven by mankind's use of fossil fuels.

But I have a confession to make: I was too optimistic.

My projections about increasing global temperature have been proved true. But I failed to fully explore how quickly that average rise would drive an increase in extreme weather.

In a new analysis of the past six decades of global temperatures, which will be published Monday, my colleagues and I have revealed a stunning increase in the frequency of extremely hot summers, with deeply troubling ramifications for not only our future but also for our present.

This is not a climate model or a prediction but actual observations of weather events and temperatures that have happened. Our analysis shows that it is no longer enough to say that global warming will increase the likelihood of extreme weather and to repeat the caveat that no individual weather event can be directly linked to climate change. To the contrary, our analysis shows that, for the extreme hot weather of the recent past, there is virtually no explanation other than climate change.

The deadly European heat wave of 2003, the fiery Russian heat wave of 2010 and catastrophic droughts in Texas and Oklahoma last year can each be attributed to climate change. And once the data are gathered in a few weeks' time, it's likely that the same will be true for the extremely hot summer the United States is suffering through right now.

These weather events are not simply an example of what climate change could bring. They are caused by climate change. The odds that natural variability created these extremes are minuscule, vanishingly small. To count on those odds would be like quitting your job and playing the lottery every morning to pay the bills.

Twenty-four years ago, I introduced the concept of "climate dice" to help distinguish the long-term trend of climate change from the natural variability of day-to-day weather. Some summers are hot, some cool. Some winters brutal, some mild. That's natural variability.

But as the climate warms, natural variability is altered, too. In a normal climate without global warming,two sides of the die would represent cooler-than-normal weather, two sides would be normal weather, and two sides would be warmer-than-normal weather. Rolling the die again and again, or season after season, you would get an equal variation of weather over time.

But loading the die with a warming climate changes the odds. You end up with only one side cooler than normal, one side average, and four sides warmer than normal. Even with climate change, you will occasionally see cooler-than-normal summers or a typically cold winter. Don't let that fool you.

Our new peer-reviewed study, published by the National Academy of Sciences, makes clear that while average global temperature has been steadily rising due to a warming climate (up about 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit in the past century), the extremes are actually becoming much more frequent and more intense worldwide.

When we plotted the world's changing temperatures on a bell curve, the extremes of unusually cool and, even more, the extremes of unusually hot are being altered so they are becoming both more common and more severe.

The change is so dramatic that one face of the die must now represent extreme weather to illustrate the greater frequency of extremely hot weather events.

Such events used to be exceedingly rare. Extremely hot temperatures covered about 0.1 percent to 0.2 percent of the globe in the base period of our study, from 1951 to 1980. In the last three decades, while the average temperature has slowly risen, the extremes have soared and now cover about 10percent of the globe.

This is the world we have changed, and now we have to live in it —the world that caused the 2003 heat wave in Europe that killed more than 50,000 people and the 2011 drought in Texas that caused more than $5 billion in damage. Such events, our data show, will become even more frequent and more severe.

There is still time to act and avoid a worsening climate, but we are wasting precious time. We can solve the challenge of climate change with a gradually rising fee on carbon collected from fossil-fuel companies, with 100 percent of the money rebated to all legal residents on a per capita basis. This would stimulate innovations and create a robust clean-energy economy with millions of new jobs. It is a simple, honest and effective solution.

The future is now. And it is hot.

End Article.

Thanks James for helping open those eyes that refuse to see the reality of global climate concerns.

When Less is More

2012-08-06T16:10:00.001-04:00

We don't often equate less as being more but in the world of greywater recycling, AQUS provides exactly that.
AQUS is a Point of Use greywater recycling system. The system collects, filters, sanitizes and stores the waste water from a sink; most often a bathroom sink. The collected water is then pumped into the toilet tank as refill water when the toilet is flushed.
During the past 18 months, AQUS has undergone design changes that greatly improve functionality, maintenance, installation and cost. So, we have improved operation with less parts, easier installation thereby reducing the time required to install, simplified maintenance and the system retails at about half the cost of the original Aqus.
One of the things that really gets me fired up is the use of drinking quality water to dispose of toilet waste. This is an inexcusable and unnecessary waste of fresh water resources that can be easily rectified in most homes and many businesses. At a cost of less than $200 US, the average return on investment is 12 to 18 months, depending on your particular installation costs if you can't or choose not to do it yourself. The ROI can be improved even more if you use it with a Dual Flush toilet.
With about 2/3rds of the US currently experiencing extreme drought condition, flushing drinkable water down the toilet is ludicrous, especially when other options can be easily and cost effectively implemented.

That's what I think; what's your opinion?
AP

ENVIRO-NEWS: EPA Climate Change and Water News

2012-07-14T18:08:00.001-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Jul 12, 2012 2:01 PM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Climate Change and Water News
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

From: water_climate_change@epa.gov [mailto:water_climate_change@epa.gov]
Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2012 10:49 AM
Subject: EPA Climate Change and Water News

EPA Climate Change and Water News

Other Federal Agency News

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Coastal Services Center Releases Report: Incorporating Sea Level Change Scenarios at the Local Level

Just as flooding threats need to be factored into coastal community planning initiatives, so too should sea level change. Unfortunately, a 'one size fits all' approach does not work given the level of uncertainty and local variables. Local calculations are required for a scenario approach. This report outlines eight steps a community can take to develop site-specific scenarios. Using the information provided in the report, communities can develop a process that incorporates a range of possibilities and factors to address the specific circumstances of a community, in addition to developing the data and information that officials will need to make communities readily adaptable to changing circumstances. This report is a 'low-tech' companion for a technical report created by NOAA: Technical Considerations for Use of Geospatial Data in Sea Level Change Mapping and Assessment. To view the report, please visit: http://csc.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/_/pdf/slcscenarios.pdf.

Other News

37th Annual Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop to Be Held July 14 - July 17, 2012 in Broomfield, CO

Since 1975, the Natural Hazards Center has hosted the Annual Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop for federal, state, and local emergency officials; representatives of nonprofit and humanitarian organizations; hazards researchers; disaster consultants; and others dedicated to alleviating the impacts of disasters. The Workshop is designed to bring researchers and practitioners from many disciplines together for face-to-face discussions on how society deals with hazards and disasters. Session topics for this year's workshop include Climate Change and Extreme Events - Science and Practice, State and Drought Emergency Management and Emerging Critical Water Resource Issues. For more information on the workshop, please visit: http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/workshop/2012/details.html.

First Stewards Symposium: Coastal Peoples Address Climate Change to Be Held July 17 - July 20, 2012 in Washington, D.C.

The symposium will bring together coastal indigenous tribal elders, leaders, scientists, and other scientists and policy leaders from around the nation to discuss traditional ecological knowledge and what it can teach us about past, present, and future adaptation to climate change. The event will include four regional panels (the West Coast states; Alaska; the U.S. Pacific states and territories; and the Great Lakes, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Gulf of Mexico states) of tribal leaders. Tribal and Western scientists will examine how native people and their cultures have adapted to climate change for hundreds to thousands of years, and what their future - and that of the nation - may hold as the impacts of climate change continue. This inaugural event will be hosted by several tribes in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, NOAA, and other partners. The symposium dialogue will identify ways indigenous cultures may be able to i!
ncrease their resilience and adaptability to predicted climate change impacts. For more information, please visit: http://firststewards.org/welcome/.

National Research Council Releases Booklet and Video to Help the Public Gain a Better Understanding of Climate Change

The National Research Council has released a new booklet and video designed to help the public gain a better understanding of what is known about climate change. The new resources are based on a number of independent reports from the National Research Council that represent the consensus of experts who have reviewed hundreds of studies describing many years of accumulating evidence. The 36 page booklet, Climate Change: Evidence, Impacts, and Choices answers commonly asked questions about the science of climate change in three parts. Part I summarizes the current state of knowledge about climate change with evidence of climate change being observed around the world; Part II summarizes projections of future climate changes and impacts expected in this century and beyond; and, Part III examines how science can help inform choices about managing and reducing the risks posed by climate change. The booklet is downloadable online and hard copies will be available later this summe!
r. A new video, Climate Change: Lines of Evidence, follows Part 1 of the booklet and explains the lines of evidence that have built the current scientific consensus about climate change and its causes. For more information about the booklet and the video, visit: http://nas-sites.org/americasclimatechoices/more-resources-on-climate-change/climate-change-lines-of-evidence-booklet/.

The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative Releases Report: Sustainable Municipal Water Management - Measuring Progress and Reporting Publicly

In the face of accumulating impacts including urbanization and climate change, municipalities are increasingly embracing an integrated approach to water management that captures the full spectrum of a community's impact on water - cutting across traditional municipal delivery areas, to include infrastructure design and operations, land use planning and approvals, public education and participation, emergency planning and response, pollution prevention, and habitat and shoreline restoration. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative has developed a framework to reflect this new integrated approach, the Sustainable Municipal Water Management - Measuring Progress and Reporting Publicly. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative is a bi-national coalition of mayors and other local officials that works actively with federal, state, and provincial governments to advance the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. The framework!
was prepared under the guidance of the Cities Initiative Green CITTs advisory committee, with representation from large, medium and small municipalities across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence basin. The Cities Initiative's Green CITTs program adopts a comprehensive approach to protecting shared water resources. To read the report, visit: http://www.icleiusa.org/action-center/learn-from-others/sustainable-municipal-water-management-measuring-progress-and-reporting-publicly.

Study on 'Stress Index' Finds Water Supply Risk Could Threaten Growth in Vast Areas of U.S.

Vast areas of the United States are vulnerable to water shortages that could limit economic growth, according to a study by a United Kingdom risk analysis firm - Maplecroft. Maplecroft's Global Risks Portfolio and services combine rigorous research with technological innovation to offer risk screens, monitoring tools and invaluable insights into the most challenging political, economic, social and environmental risks and responsibilities facing global business today. Unsustainable household, agricultural, and industrial water use is outstripping supply in certain regions such as the Great Plains, according to the Water Stress Index 2012, which was released in May 2012. The report also opined that these impacts could have wider effects on the global economy, such as decreasing food supplies and increasing food prices. To determine the rankings, the report evaluated each country's renewable supplies of water from precipitation, streams, and rivers against its domestic, ind!
ustrial, and agricultural uses. To obtain a copy of the Water Stress Index 2012 and to see a global map of the index, please visit: http://maplecroft.com/about/news/water_stress_index_2012.html.

EcoSummit 2012: Ecological Sustainability - Restoring the Planet's Ecosystem Services to Be Held September 30 - October 5, 2012 in Columbus, OH

EcoSummit 2012 will bring together respected minds in ecological science to discuss restoring the planet's ecosystems. Speakers will include Nobel Prize laureate Elinor Ostrom, Pulitzer Prize winners E.O. Wilson and Jared Diamond, Kyoto Prize winner Simon Levin, Stockholm Water Prize laureates Sven Jorgensen and William Mitsch, and others in the first conference to link the Ecological Society of America, the International Association for Ecology, and the Society for Ecological Restoration International. Abstracts from 100 countries have been received by EcoSummit 2012 for presentations and workshops. For more information, please visit: http://www.ecosummit2012.org/index.htm.
________________________________________
This newsletter is produced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water (EPA). If you have questions related to the newsletter or want to submit an item, email the editor at water_climate_change@epa.gov. For past issues of EPA Climate Change and Water News, as well as further information on climate change impacts on water resources, visit www.epa.gov/water/climatechange. For more information on EPA's climate change activities, visit www.epa.gov/climatechange.

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library. The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
owner-Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov.
***********************************************

ENVIRO-NEWS: EPA Climate Change and Water News

2012-06-05T18:07:00.001-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Jun 5, 2012 4:43 PM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Climate Change and Water News
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

From: water_climate_change@epa.gov [mailto:water_climate_change@epa.gov]
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2012 3:24 PM
Subject: EPA Climate Change and Water News

EPA Climate Change and Water News

U.S. EPA News

EPA Launches Competition for College Students to Develop Innovative Approaches to Stormwater Management

The Campus RainWorks Challenge <http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/greeninfrastructure/crw_challenge.cfm> encourages student teams on college and university campuses across the country to develop innovative approaches to stormwater management. Stormwater is a major cause of water pollution in urban areas in the U.S., impacting the health of people across the country as well as tens of thousands of miles of rivers, streams, and coastal shorelines, and hundreds of thousands of acres of lakes, reservoirs, and ponds. The competition will help raise awareness of green design and planning approaches at colleges and universities and train the next generation of landscape architects, planners, and engineers in green infrastructure principles and design. Student teams, working with a faculty advisor, will submit design plans for a proposed green infrastructure project for their campus. Registration opens September 4, 2012, and entries must be submitted by December 14, 2012. Win!
ning entries will be selected by EPA and winners will be announced in April 2013. Winning teams will earn a cash prize as well as funds for their faculty advisor to conduct research on green infrastructure.

Other Federal Agency News

U.S. Geological Survey Announces Opening for Program Manager (Senior Research Fellow or Postdoctoral Fellow Level) for the Northeast Climate Science Center at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst - Applications due June 15, 2012

Applications are being accepted for the position of Program Manager <http://necsc.umass.edu/news/new-position-necsc-program-manager> (Senior Research Fellow or Postdoctoral Fellow Level) for the Northeast Climate Science Center. The Northeast Climate Science Center is led by the University of Massachusetts and consists of the College of Menominee Nation, Columbia University, the Marine Biology Laboratory, the University of Minnesota, the University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Northeast Climate Science Center will develop stakeholder-driven research and decision support for assisting landscape and watershed management in the face of climate variability and climate change. Activities will include developing and integrating future scenarios of climate, hydrology, landscape and resource management change in the region, including the 22 states that comprise the Northeast.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Announces Funding Opportunity Award for Building Resilience against Climate Effects in State, Territorial and Tribal Health Departments - Deadline June 18, 2012

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Climate and Health Program intends to fund state health departments to conduct analytic and programmatic activities aimed at reducing the health consequences of climate change and variability by developing public health adaptation strategies. The application <http://www.cdc.gov/climatechange/funding.htm> deadline date is June 18, 2012.

U.S. Department of the Interior Announces New Online Application and Other Tools to Expand Public Access to Critical Data for Assessing Water Availability Across the Western U.S.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced a new online tool for western water managers and the public to help increase accessibility of science-based information and understanding of how climate variations will impact the availability of water to communities. Projected streamflow data can be found at the Bureau of Reclamation's new website <http://gis.usbr.gov/Streamflow_Projections/> on Streamflow Projections for the Western United States. The site provides a straightforward interface to data for 195 sites on streams and rivers throughout the West. Along with additional information on the tools and official announcement are also available online <http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=39908>.

U.S. Geological Survey Details Effects of Climate Change on Water Availability in 14 Local Basins Nationwide

Climate change projections indicate a steady increase in temperature progressing through the 21st century, generally resulting in snowpack reductions, changes to the timing of snowmelt, altered stream flows, and reductions in soil moisture, all of which could affect water management, agriculture, recreation, hazard mitigation, and ecosystems across the nation. Despite some widespread similarities in climate change trends, climate change will affect specific water basins in the U.S. differently, based on the particular hydrologic and geologic conditions in that area. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has released a study <http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.aspID=3205#.T75N67DLyI4> projecting changes in water availability due to climate change at the local level. So far, the USGS has applied these models to fourteen basins.

U.S. Global Change Research Program Makes Available Technical Input Reports to the 2013 National Climate Assessment

The 2013 National Climate Assessment, conducted under the auspices of the Global Change Research Act of 1990, will be a report submitted to the President and the Congress that integrates, evaluates, and interprets the findings of the U.S. Global Change Research Program; analyzes the effects of global change on the natural environment, agriculture, energy production and use, land and water resources, transportation, human health and welfare, human social systems, and biological diversity; and analyzes current trends in global change, both human-induced and natural, and projects major trends for the subsequent 25 to 100 years. Technical input reports <http://www.globalchange.gov/what-we-do/assessment/nca-activities/available-technical-inputs> that were submitted for the 2013 National Climate Assessment by March 1, 2012 have now been made available online.

U.S. Global Change Research Program Announces NCAnet - A Network of Partners Supporting the National Climate Assessment

NCAnet <http://ncanet.usgcrp.gov> is a network of organizations working with the National Climate Assessment (NCA) to engage producers and users of assessment information across the United States. Partners extend the NCA process and products to a broad audience through the development of assessment-related capacities and products, such as collection and synthesis of data or other technical and scientific information relevant to current and future NCA reports, dissemination of NCA report findings to various users of assessment information, engagement of assessment information producers and users, supporting NCA events, and producing communications materials related to the NCA and NCA report findings. NCAnet currently consists of over 50 partners. The NCA is seeking additional partners.

Other News

Water Utility Climate Alliance (WUCA) Announces New Leadership for Climate Alliance - Seattle Public Utilities succeeds San Francisco as WUCA Chair

Following the first leadership change since its founding in 2007, the Water Utility Climate Alliance <http://www.wucaonline.org> (WUCA) is pursuing a work plan this year to expand its reach and influence on climate adaptation and related issues. The organization's new leaders are Executive Chair Ray Hoffman, who is Director of Seattle Public Utilities, and Executive Vice Chair Gerald Seeber, who is General Manager of Tampa Bay Water. Hoffman succeeds Ed Harrington, General Manager of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, which founded WUCA in 2007 and chaired the coalition until this year.

Researchers Publish Paper in Nature Geoscience Journal that Seagrasses Can Store as Much Carbon as Forests

Seagrasses are a vital part of the solution to climate change and, per unit area, seagrass meadows can store up to twice as much carbon as the world's temperate and tropical forests. The paper, "Seagrass Ecosystems as a Globally Significant Carbon Stock <http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ngeo1477.html>," is the first global analysis of carbon stored in seagrasses. The results demonstrate that coastal seagrass beds store up to 83,000 metric tons of carbon per square kilometer, mostly in the soils beneath them. The new results, say the scientists, emphasize that conserving and restoring seagrass meadows may reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon stores--while delivering important "ecosystem services" to coastal communities. The research is part of the Blue Carbon Initiative, a collaborative effort of Conservation International, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO. !
The press release <http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=124263&WT.mc_id=USNSF_51&WT.mc_ev=click> from the National Science Foundation is also available online.

________________________________

This newsletter is produced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water (EPA). If you have questions related to the newsletter or want to submit an item, email the editor at water_climate_change@epa.gov. For past issues of EPA Climate Change and Water News, as well as further information on climate change impacts on water resources, visit www.epa.gov/water/climatechange. For more information on EPA's climate change activities, visit www.epa.gov/climatechange. [deletions]

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Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
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What is "On Demand Hot Water"?

2012-05-31T13:09:00.000-04:00

As the nation continues to improve energy and water efficiency, we are hearing more and more about on demand hot water systems. On demand hot water is pretty much just that; hot water is produced when called for rather than being stored and maintained at a given temperature. These kinds of systems have been is use for decades in most developed countries.
An on demand system is generally considered more energy efficient than a storage system, but this opinion really seems to vary from source to source when you look into statistics. Most Americans are accustomed to a storage type system and they know what to expect of them I.E. a limited amount of water at a set temperature. Although a tank type water heater is thermostatically controlled, recovery rate is typically much slower than the draw rate when showering, drawing a bath or loading a clothes washer. This slower recovery requires a conscious use of hot water or you may be left cold and wet, literally.
With tankless water heating the experience is quite the opposite. As long as the fuel supply remains adequate, tankless heaters will continually produce hot water for an unlimited period of time. Where we find limitation with tankless heaters is the flow rate. The volume/flow rate of tankless heaters is determined by the temperature rise required to meet the per-established temperature and by the maximum Btu rating of the appliance. Tankless gas water heaters operate on a modulating gas valve which varies the amount of fuel based on the demand. Demand is determined by the amount of water being called for and the temperature rise needed to provide the proper flow rate at the set temperature. If you turn on 1 bathroom sink faucet at 1.0 gallon per minute (gpm) the heater will fire at minimum Btu capacity. If more than one fixture is on or if a fixture with a higher gpm flow rate is turned on the heater increases the input amount of fuel to supply and fires additional burners to meet the demand. With flow rate limitations in mind it is important to properly size the system prior to installation.
A common misunderstanding with Tankless water heaters, also known as instantaneous heaters, is that the hot water will be immediately available at the point of use. The term instantaneous when referencing a tankless heater is greatly misleading. The term refers to the rapid firing and heating process. With most tankless brands burner ignition happens as soon as the minimum water flow is detected; that’s as close to instantaneous as tankless heaters get. The water doesn’t get to the point of use any sooner than with a traditional heater, unless additional design changes are implemented at the time of installation. This realization can be a great disappointment to a homeowner. If you are interested in having hot water readily available at any giving point of use, consider adding an On Demand Circulating Pump to your hot water system. These provide various methods of activating a circulation pump that brings the heated water to the faucet without having to turn on the faucet. Installing a circulation pump of this kind will save a lot of water in that you don’t let a faucet run until hot water arrives.
Whether or not tankless water heating systems conserve fuel and/or water is determined by the one thing everybody can control, without any expense. Personal habits become the deciding factor. Studies have shown that homes with on demand heaters are less concerned with the amount of hot water they use. Because these heaters provide a continual flow of hot water, people tend to take longer showers, fill the tub more, use hot water for clothes washing etc, etc. In this situation the water and fuel consumptions can be greater than when we have limitations of a tank type water heater.
On demand water heaters are likely to become the standard. The industry is moving toward phasing out the traditional water heater. This makes sense as long as we encourage behavioral change as well. Conservation begins with awareness.

AP

www.AskAquaPro.com
AquaPro@AskaquaPro.com
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ENVIRO-NEWS: EPA Water Headlines for the week of April 23, 2012

2012-04-24T15:29:00.001-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Apr 24, 2012 1:40 PM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Water Headlines for the week of April 23, 2012
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

-----Original Message-----
From: Amy Han [mailto:han.amy@epamail.epa.gov]
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 6:35 PM
Subject: [waterheadlines] Water Headlines for the week of April 23, 2012

Water Headlines for the week of April 23, 2012

Water Headlines is a weekly on-line publication that announces publications, policies, and activities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water

Visit EPA's Water Is Worth It Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/EPAWaterIsWorthIt, and follow our Water Is Worth It tweets at http://twitter.com/epawater

In This Week's Water Headlines:

1) EPA's National Coastal Condition Report IV Available Online
2) DEA National Pharmaceutical Take-Back Day: April 28, 2012
3) EPA to Host Web Conference on the Draft "National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change" on May 3, 2012
4) EPA To Hold Infrastructure Operation, Maintenance, and Management Training for Tribal Water and Wastewater Operators and Leaders in Oklahoma City, Okla., and Albuquerque, N.M.
5) Blog Spotlight: Giving New Life To The Dead Zone
[deletions]

1) EPA's National Coastal Condition Report IV Available Online EPA has released the National Coastal Condition Report IV, the fourth in a series of environmental assessments of U.S. coastal waters and the Great Lakes. The national coastal condition reports summarize the condition of ecological resources in the coastal waters of the United States and highlight several exemplary federal, state, tribal and local programs that assess coastal ecological and water quality conditions. This report relies heavily on coastal monitoring data provided by coastal states through EPA's National Coastal Assessment to assess coastal condition by evaluating five indicators of condition-water quality, sediment quality, benthic community condition, coastal habitat loss, and fish tissue contaminants-in each region of the U.S. The overall condition of the nation's coastal waters was rated fair for the reporting period 2003 to 2006. The report is available at: http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/assess!
monitor/nccr/index.cfm

2) DEA National Pharmaceutical Take-Back Day: April 28, 2012 The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), with support from EPA, is sponsoring the National Pharmaceutical Take-Back Day on April 28, 2012. DEA looks to build upon the success of its first three events which collected a total of 498 tons of household medications nationwide. These nationwide events provide a unified opportunity for the public to turn in expired, unwanted or unused prescription drugs and other medications to law enforcement officers for safe disposal. DEA's efforts bring national focus to the issue of pharmaceutical substance abuse, while providing a secure and environmentally-friendly outlet for disposal that will protect our water resources.

To find out more about this event and other information on how to properly dispose prescription medication, visit: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/ppcp/index.cfm

3) EPA to Host Web Conference on the Draft "National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change" on May 3, 2012 EPA released the Draft "National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change" on April 2, 2012 for a 45-day public comment period. As part of ongoing efforts to continue the public outreach process, EPA is hosting a web-based conference on May 3, 2012, 3 to 5 p.m. EDT. This web conference will provide an opportunity to pose clarifying questions to EPA on aspects of the draft 2012 Strategy document prior to the end of the public comment period on May 17, 2012. For more information on the draft "National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change" and how to participate in the web conference, visit http://water.epa.gov/scitech/climatechange/2012-National-Water-Program-Strategy.cfm.

4) EPA To Hold Infrastructure Operation, Maintenance, and Management Training for Tribal Water and Wastewater Operators and Leaders in Oklahoma City, Okla., and Albuquerque, N.M.
From May 2 through 4, EPA will be sponsoring a training workshop in Oklahoma City, Okla., for federally- recognized tribes and Alaskan Native Villages to help increase participants' skills and knowledge in how to better operate and manage wastewater and drinking water systems. The training is intended for water system operators, wastewater system operators, tribal utility managers, tribal council members and leaders involved with water utility management. There is no registration fee for the workshop, but Tribes and Alaskan Native Villages that received American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds will be given registration priority. To register, please go to: http://water.epa.gov/learn/training/tribaltraining/tcourse1_2012.cfm.

This training is part of a series of such training sessions that EPA is sponsoring throughout the country. An additional training session is scheduled for Albuquerque, N.M., May 15 through 17. For questions about the training, please contact Leon Latino by e-mail at latino.leon@epa.gov or by phone at (202) 564-1997; or Matthew Richardson by e-mail at richardson.matthew@epa.gov or by phone at (202) 564-2947.

5) Blog Spotlight: Giving New Life To The Dead Zone John Senn, Deputy Communications Director for EPA's Office of Water, blogged about his recent trip to Tennessee in joining the meeting of the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force in addressing the Gulf of Mexico's dead zone and his visit to a farm that demonstrated efficient water use and nutrient pollution control on site. Mr. Senn notes the work continuing to address nutrient pollution, such as excess nitrogen and phosphorus, going into the Mississippi River Basin and the Gulf of Mexico. To read the blog, visit: http://blog.epa.gov/blog/2012/04/giving-new-life-to-the-dead-zone/.
[deletions]

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Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
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Library. The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
owner-Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov.
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