Article on Farm Nitrates and Drinking Water

The Agricultural & Applied Economics Association’s (AAEA) Choices magazine has published an article entitled, “The Debate about Farm Nitrates and Drinking Water.”  The article provides information about high nitrate levels in groundwater and surface water sources as a result of farming practices in the State of Minnesota and other agricultural areas; and discusses rules, tools, incentives, and even biofuel production as a means to decrease impacts.

 

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EPA WSD to Host Preparedness Resources Webinar

Mark your calendars for May 11. That’s when EPA’s Water Security Division will be hosting a one hour webinar on Preparedness Resources for Water Utilities that will showcase new, free tools and resources. DATE: Wednesday, May 11, 2016 TIME: 1:00-2:00PM (eastern) REGISTER: http://utilitieswebinarmay2016.eventbrite.com The webinar will showcase these four new guides and toolkits: Drought […]

via EPA WSD to Host Preparedness Resources Webinar — ASDWA’s Security Notes

Updated DrinkTap.org Shares Educational Information for Consumers

AWWA has redesigned its DrinkTap.org web site that water utilities and others (including states) can use to help consumers grasp complicated water issues, test their knowledge about the Earth’s surface water, and understand the drinking water story.  Topics on the updated site include water quality and contaminants, water conservation, water security, water infrastructure, regulatory questions, source water, fluoridation, and consumer confidence reports.  The site also hosts a biweekly blog that features current events, a new kids’ section with videos, games, and links to other education material available around the web, and a drip calculator tool for customers to estimate water waste and potential cost savings.

USDA is Now Accepting Proposals for the FY ‘17 Regional Conservation Partnership Program

USDA’s Natura Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced the availability of $260 million for FY 2017 Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) proposals to improve the nation’s water quality (including drinking water sources), combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat, and protect agricultural viability.  This will be the third round of projects funded through the RCPP to provide conservation assistance to producers and landowners.  Partners must provide matching funds and may include state government agencies (including drinking water programs), water utilities, NGOs, and universities.  Pre-proposals are due May 10th. View the announcement HERE.  For more information on applying, visit the RCPP website.

HABHRCA Report and Webinar on Federal Agency Actions for Managing HABs and Hypoxia

The Interagency Working Group on the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act (IWG-HABHRCA) has released its report entitled, “Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia: A Comprehensive Research Plan and Action Strategy.”  The report was written is response to the HABHRCA legislative requirements and outlines Federal agencies’ roles, responsibilities, and successes for evaluating and managing HABs and hypoxia.  The report incorporates contributions from many stakeholders (including state governments) to ensure that the recommendations align closely with and deliver products that address stakeholder needs. The chief recommendations of this report include:

• Add to and improve scientific understanding of HABs and hypoxia, and their causes and effects, as well as improve testing and research methods.
• Strengthen and integrate new and existing monitoring programs.
• Improve predictive capabilities by developing and enhancing HAB and hypoxia modeling programs; improve disease surveillance for human and animal exposure, illnesses, and death.
• Improve stakeholder communications, including having more effective and readily-available public advisories, stronger connections with susceptible communities, and a better understanding of the socioeconomic and health-related impacts of HABs and hypoxia.
• Continue and expand collaborations in research, management, and policy-related arenas.

To read the report, visit the web site HERE.  A blog post about the report is also available HERE.

Webinar on March 23^rd:  The IWG-HABHRCA will hold an official roll-out webinar on March 23, 2016, at 2:00pm (eastern).  During the webinar, contributors will discuss the recommendations and next steps for the group.  Please register by emailing Caitlin Gould of EPA at caitlin.gould@noaa.gov, by no later than 5:00pm (eastern) on March 22^nd.

EPA Releases the Drought Response and Recovery Guide for Water Utilities

As part of their ongoing effort to provide tools and strategies to support water system needs when disaster strikes, the EPA Water Security Division has just released the Drought Response and Recov…

Source: EPA Releases the Drought Response and Recovery Guide for Water Utilities