August 24, 2017 By Leah Schleifer Cover Image by: USDA NRCS Montana/Flickr

Topic: Freshwater

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Droughts in Somalia. Water rationing in Rome. Flooding in Jakarta and Harvey-battered Houston. It doesn’t take a hydrologist to realize that there is a growing global water crisis. Each August, water experts, industry innovators, and researchers gather in Stockholm for World Water Week to tackle the planet’s most pressing water issues.

What are they up against this year? Here’s a quick rundown on the growing global water crisis.

1) We’re Changing the Climate, Making Dry Areas Drier and Precipitation More Variable and Extreme.

Climate change is warming the planet, making the world’s hottest geographies even more scorching. At the same time, clouds are moving away from the equator toward the poles, due to a climate-change driven phenomenon called Hadley Cell expansion. This deprives equatorial regions like sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Central America of life-giving rainwater.

Paradoxically, climate change is also increasing precipitation in other areas, and people who live near rivers and streams have the most to lose. Currently, at least 21 million people worldwide are at risk of river flooding each year. That number could increase to 54 million by 2030. All countries with the greatest exposure to river floods are least developed or developing countries – which makes them even more vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters. This summer, extreme flooding submerged over a third of Bangladesh, claiming over 115 lives and affecting 5.7 million citizens.

2) More People + More Money = More Water Demand.

It’s a simple equation: As populations increase and incomes grow, so does water demand. The world’s population, now at 7.5 billion, is projected to add 2.3 billion more people by 2050. How can the planet satisfy their thirst? Growing incomes also exacerbate the water problem, because of the water-intensive products—like meat and energy from fossil fuels—that richer populations demand.

3) Groundwater Is Being Depleted.

About 30 percent of Earth’s fresh water lies deep underground in aquifers. And it’s extracted daily for farming, drinking and industrial processes – often at dangerously unsustainable rates. Nowhere is this more evident than India, which guzzles more groundwater than any other country. 54 percent of India’s groundwater wells are decreasing, meaning that water is used faster than it’s replenished. Unless patterns shift, in 20 years, 60 percent of India’s aquifers will be in critical condition.

Unlike an incoming hurricane or a drained lake, the naked eye cannot see when groundwater reserves in aquifers are declining. Global water supplies are susceptible to this hidden and growing threat.

4) Water Infrastructure Is in a Dismal State of Disrepair.

Having enough water to go around is only the beginning. That water also needs to be transported, treated, and discharged. Around the world, water infrastructure―treatment plants, pipes, and sewer systems―is in a state of disrepair. In the United States, 6 billion gallons of treated water are lost per day from leaky pipes alone. Built infrastructure is notoriously expensive to install and repair, meaning that many localities ignore growing infrastructure issues until disaster strikes, as it did in California earlier this year.

5) And Natural Infrastructure Is Being Ignored.

Healthy ecosystems are ” natural infrastructure” and vital to clean, plentiful water. They filter pollutants, buffer against floods and storms, and regulate water supply. Plants and trees are essential for replenishing groundwater; without them, rainfall will slide across dry land, instead of seeping into the soil. Loss of vegetation from deforestation, overgrazing and urbanization is limiting our natural infrastructure and the benefits that it provides. Forested watersheds around the world are under threat: watersheds have lost up to 22 percent of their forests in the past 14 years.

6) Water Is Wasted.

Although it’s true that water is a renewable resource, it’s often wasted. Inefficient practices like flood irrigation and water-intensive wet cooling at thermal power plants use more water than necessary. What’s more, as we pollute our available water at an alarming rate, we also fail to treat it. About 80 percent of the world’s wastewater is discharged back into nature without further treatment or reuse. In many countries, it’s cheaper to receive clean drinking water than to treat and dispose of wastewater, which encourages water waste. This brings us to the next issue:

7) The Price Is Wrong.

Globally, water is seriously undervalued. Its price does not reflect the true, total cost of service, from its transport via infrastructure to its treatment and disposal. This has led to misallocation of water, and a lack of investments in infrastructure and new water technologies that use water more efficiently. After all, why would a company or government invest in expensive water-saving technologies, when water is cheaper than the technology in question? When the price of receiving clean water is closer to its actual service cost, efficient water use will be incentivized. And on the flip side, the poor often end up paying disproportionately high prices for water, stunting development.

It’s Not Too Late

Amidst these seven deadly water sins, there is good news: governments, businesses, universities and citizens around the world are waking up to water challenges, and beginning to take action. Each year brings more solutions – like using wastewater for energy, using restoration to bring water back to dry topographies, and monitoring groundwater levels more closely. However, even the best solutions will not implement themselves. Along with fresh water, political will and public pressure are critical resources in ensuring a sustainable future for all.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION https://www.wri.org/insights/7-reasons-were-facing-global-water-crisis

Water consumption is up this year across multiple water districts within the Great Salt Lake basin, but some of the biggest users are still trying to find ways to cut back.

By Carter Williams | KSL.com | Sep. 28, 2024, 8:00 a.m.

This article is published through the Great Salt Lake Collaborative, a solutions journalism initiative that partners news, education and media organizations to help inform people about the plight of the Great Salt Lake—and what can be done to make a difference before it is too late. Read all of our stories at greatsaltlakenews.org.

A lot has changed since Preston Cox and his wife, Melissa, founded Perennial Favorites in the early ‘90s, growing about 4,000 plants and 25 varieties from a wholesale nursery in the backyard of their home near the Great Salt Lake wetlands.

“We started the business, and just gradually, each year, we’d add onto the business,” he said, standing on a narrow dirt road employees in motorized carts use to reach the seemingly endless rows of plants and greenhouses.

It’s a full-scale operation, three decades later, with dozens of employees who tend a portion of the 1.2 million plants of about 1,500 or more varieties that the company now grows annually. On a warm and partly cloudy August afternoon, they were hard at work, getting the plants ready for the many clients the company has amassed all over the region and beyond with help from the internet.

That’s not the only change, though. Cox has seen the county’s population double, and there’s now a highway that juts through the farmland just south of the nursery. However, he figures the biggest difference might be how much he and his colleagues dwell on water availability.

Water wasn’t an issue three decades ago, he says. The Great Salt Lake was close to its historic average, having just receded from its record high. Utah had its droughts, but it wasn’t something that threatened the Great Salt Lake basin’s water supply either.

Now, water is one of the primary topics his business and many others in the agricultural community talk about following several major drought cycles and the decline of the Great Salt Lake.

“(We realized) here not too long ago … that something had to change,” he said.

A slowdown in Utah’s water paradigm shift?

Cox isn’t alone in this feeling. Water users across several industries within the Great Salt Lake basin and across the state have rethought the way they consume water. Most of it started as drought became a reoccurring theme almost every year, beginning around 2000.

The desire to conserve increased from mid-2020 to early 2023 as Utah went through one of its worst drought cycles on record. It was part of a two-decadeslong “megadrought” across the West, which researchers determined to be the worst in 1,200 years.

Water managers reported all kinds of water consumption cuts during that time. The state pushed water conservation measures as its reservoir system fell to about 40% capacity statewide.

However, this year has felt slightly different. Water consumption, as of early September, rose about 5% above the three-year average within the Salt Lake Department of Public Utilities service area, said director Laura Briefer.

Her department handles water needs in Salt Lake City, Cottonwood Heights, Holladay, Millcreek and some unincorporated parts of Salt Lake County. Representatives of the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District and Weber Basin Water Conservancy District — two other major water managers within the basin — say they also noticed small increases in water consumption this past summer.

Alan Packard, assistant general manager for the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, said it could be weather-induced. June, July and August combined to produce Utah’s second-hottest meteorological summer since 1895. While rainfall was close to normal statewide, some counties within the Great Salt Lake basin dealt with the largest precipitation deficits.

“It was a bit hotter and drier this summer as compared to last summer. Our demands have increased,” he said.

Briefer agrees that it could be tied to summer conditions because people appeared to slow down consumption when it rained. It could also be the aftereffect of back-to-back strong snowpack collections.

That major multiyear drought Utah experienced quickly vanished after a record-breaking snowpack changed Utah’s water fortunes in early 2023. A second above-normal collection this past winter — plus some additional monsoon moisture — briefly lifted any moderate drought status in Utah this year for the first time since 2019.

With Utah’s reservoir system reaching its highest point in 13 years, it’s possible that residents loosened up because water scarcity was no longer as visible as it was during the last drought.

“It just feels like maybe there’s a little fatigue around water issues and drought because we’ve had such an intense last couple of years where that was a tremendous focus,” Briefer said.

Cox noticed another change in consumer habits. Perennial Favorites shifted the types of plants it grew so Utahns could plant more water-efficient gardens. This started about 15 years ago when it became difficult to keep up with more dry years than not.

The company moved away from growing “water-hogging” plants, like astilbes and ligularia, and focused more on producing higher volumes of native and “water-friendly” alternatives like echinaceas, rudbeckias and penstemons.

He says customers were initially wary about the business decision, but that softened with every drought. The more Utah residents understood the impact of outdoor watering on the state’s water supply, the more they became interested in native plants.

But business has slowed down some after back-to-back productive winters.

“We’ve seen that interest drop off a little bit,” he said. “I think that’s a bad thing because we’re in Utah. If we have a couple of wet years, it’s not too far down the road that we’ll be back in some dry years.”

Still clinging to conservation

This is why the company has no plans to back down from water conservation. Perennial Favorites offered reporters a tour of its premises in August to showcase a water reclamation system concocted by Cox’s son, Cort, a few years ago.

During our visit, Cort Cox swung open a door to a small shed and pointed to the various control panels that help the company save and reuse water stored. It’s a fairly complex system, but it essentially takes extra water from time watering plants and stores it in three large black containers so it can be reused in the watering process in certain sections of the nursery.

(Carter Williams | KSL.com) Cort Cox, head annual grower for Perennial Favorites, talks about the company’s water reclamation system while standing in front of its three large tanks on Aug. 20. The tanks can hold up to 15,000 gallons of water at any given time.

The idea, Cort Cox said, came together after the company noticed excess water pooling up after each watering period. The system helps the company save about 15,000 gallons of water every day, including about 1 million to 1.2 million gallons (3-3.7 acre-feet) of water during the primary growing season.

“I feel like that’s really big for us and for our community,” he said.

The project cost about $50,000 for the company to install, but Cort Cox said he believes it was worth it because it opens up a little more water to go to areas in need and helps them save water as it has become more uncertain.

(Carter Williams | KSL.com) Rows of plants at the Perennial Favorites nursery in Layton are pictured on Aug. 20.

Water conservation wasn’t always what people in the farming, ranching and growing community talked about, but drought has changed that, says Joel Ferry, who serves as director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources and is a fifth-generation farmer and rancher in Box Elder County.

Agricultural water — adding in some golf courses — has historically accounted for about 84% of the state’s water consumption since 1950, Utah State University researchers wrote in a report last year. The industry remains the biggest water consumer, but the percentage used dropped to about 80% in 2015.

Utah’s Coordinated Action Plan for Water, released in 2022, estimated that agriculture remains the state’s biggest water user, but its share has since slipped to about 75%.

Ferry’s farm underwent a major transformation fairly early in the megadrought. He said he installed “miles and miles” of irrigation piping to replace the old, uncovered dirt ditches. It eliminated evaporation, seepage loss and other issues that led to water loss before it could be used on any plants.

He also started laser-leveling the land so that water was evenly distributed throughout the field and began planting cover crops that can reduce evaporation and the need for watering in drought years.

“(We use) a whole myriad of different practices that all add up to make a big difference,” he said, standing by a small stream on the farm that feeds into the Bear River about 50 yards away. “If I can eliminate one irrigation cycle on my corn, that’s going to save hundreds of acre-feet of water.”

(Carter Williams | KSL.com) Joel Ferry, director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, stands near a culvert on his farm property in Brigham City on Aug. 20.

The state followed suit, creating an agriculture water optimization program in 2019 to help facilitate these types of changes. The goal is that every farm, ranch and grower has the potential to save a large amount of water.

Neither Ferry nor Perennial Favorites participated in this program for their projects, but other agricultural water consumers quickly jumped at the opportunity. Businesses in Box Elder, Cache, Davis and Rich counties — all within the lake basin — account for most projects approved thus far.

Some other industries are also changing water practices specifically because of the Great Salt Lake’s decline in recent decades. Compass Minerals reached a deal with Utah earlier this month to permanently direct over 200,000 acre-feet of water to the lake every year, following a mineral-related bill passed this year.

Municipalities haven’t stopped, either. Despite this summer’s water use uptick, Briefer points out that municipal water consumption this summer is still nowhere near the historic levels before drought left the state’s future water supply in doubt.

That, she says, gives her hope that Utahns are aware of the risk the state regularly faces, because its water fortunes can quickly change again. She adds that the Great Salt Lake is also far from making a full recovery from years of drought and overconsumption, which is still a major concern for many communities near it.

Packard feels the same way. He said using less water can help Utah survive long droughts and help struggling bodies of water like the Great Salt Lake.

He spoke about conservation habits earlier this month after an event celebrating the release of 10,000 acre-feet of water from Utah Lake to the Great Salt Lake. More than half of the number came from tallying up all the water conserved by residents within the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District last year.

“We want to continue to emphasize to the public it is to use water wisely,” he said. “If we have the combined efforts of all of our water users in our service area, it’ll make us confident to make these sorts of releases in the future.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2024/09/28/has-conservation-fatigue-arrived/

December 10, 2024 by Mary

Water is one of our most precious natural resources, yet it’s easy to take it for granted. With global water shortages becoming an increasingly serious issue, conserving water has never been more important. By making small changes in our daily routines, we can collectively make a big difference in preserving this vital resource for future generations. In this article, we’ll explore simple, practical ways to reduce your water usage without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

1. Why Water Conservation Matters

Water conservation is not just an environmental issue—it’s also about ensuring a sustainable, reliable water supply for everyone. Here are some key reasons why it’s crucial to conserve water:

Environmental Impact:

Water conservation reduces the demand on natural water sources like rivers, lakes, and aquifers. Over-extraction of water can lead to ecosystem damage, harming wildlife and plant life, and depleting important habitats. By using water more wisely, we can help protect the delicate balance of these ecosystems.

Climate Change and Water Scarcity:

Climate change is making water scarcity a growing concern, especially in regions prone to droughts or extreme weather patterns. By conserving water, we can help mitigate the effects of droughts and ensure a more sustainable future for all.

Cost Savings:

Using less water means lower water bills. Many households are paying more than they need to simply because of wasteful water practices. Whether it’s running the tap while brushing your teeth or taking longer showers than necessary, small changes can lead to significant savings over time.

Energy Savings:

Water treatment and transportation require a lot of energy. By using less water, you reduce the amount of energy needed to pump, heat, and treat the water, which can also contribute to a reduction in your overall energy consumption.

2. Water-Saving Tips for the Bathroom

The bathroom is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to water wastage. From showers to toilets, there are plenty of opportunities to save water in this room. Here are some practical tips:

1. Shorten Your Showers:

Showering is one of the most common ways we use water, but it’s also one of the easiest places to cut back. Try reducing your shower time by just a few minutes. A typical showerhead uses 2.5 gallons (9.5 liters) of water per minute, so every minute you save equals almost 3 gallons of water.

2. Install a Low-Flow Showerhead:

Low-flow showerheads are designed to use less water while maintaining strong water pressure. They can save you up to 50% of the water used during showers. The best part? They’re easy to install and relatively inexpensive.

3. Fix Leaky Faucets and Toilets:

A leaky faucet can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year. Toilets that continuously run can waste up to 200 gallons a day! Make sure to fix leaks promptly and check your toilet’s flushing mechanism. For a simple fix, you can add a water-saving bag or a tank bank to your toilet’s tank to reduce water usage.

4. Turn Off the Tap:

It’s easy to forget, but turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, washing your face, or shaving can save gallons of water every day. Instead of keeping the water running, wet your toothbrush and then turn off the tap while you brush.

3. Water-Saving Tips for the Kitchen

The kitchen is another place where water usage can add up quickly. From cooking to cleaning, here are some easy ways to save water in the kitchen:

1. Use a Dishwasher Efficiently:

Dishwashers, when used correctly, are actually more water-efficient than washing dishes by hand. Make sure to run your dishwasher only when it’s full, and use the energy-efficient settings. Modern dishwashers use about 3-5 gallons per load, whereas washing by hand can waste up to 20 gallons per wash.

2. Scrape, Don’t Rinse:

Instead of rinsing off dishes under running water, scrape off food waste into a compost bin or trash can. If you do need to rinse, fill up a basin or a small bowl with water and rinse your dishes in that, rather than leaving the tap running.

3. Use a Container to Wash Produce:

Instead of rinsing your fruits and vegetables under a running stream of water, try filling a bowl with water and washing them in that. You can then reuse that water for watering your plants or garden.

4. Store Cold Water:

When waiting for hot water to come through the faucet, collect the cold water in a container and use it to water your plants, clean your floors, or fill up your pet’s water bowl. It’s a simple way to avoid wasting water that’s just sitting there.

4. Water-Saving Tips for the Laundry Room

Water conservation in the laundry room is often overlooked, but there are several strategies that can help reduce water consumption:

1. Wash Full Loads Only:

Whether you use a front-loading or top-loading machine, always try to wash full loads of laundry. Washing small loads wastes both water and energy. If you have a smaller load, consider adjusting the water level on your washing machine to match the amount of laundry.

2. Choose Water-Efficient Washers:

If you’re in the market for a new washing machine, consider purchasing a high-efficiency model. These machines use up to 50% less water than traditional washers. Additionally, they typically have shorter wash cycles, saving you time and energy as well.

3. Use a Shorter Cycle:

For lightly soiled laundry, try using a shorter wash cycle. Modern machines are designed to handle most laundry with just a quick wash, saving you both water and energy.

4. Line Dry Your Clothes:

Whenever possible, skip the dryer and hang your clothes to dry. Line drying uses no energy, reduces wear and tear on your clothes, and helps save water. You can even install a clothesline in your yard or use an indoor drying rack.

5. Smart Landscaping: Water Conservation in the Garden

The garden can be a significant water guzzler, but there are many strategies to keep your garden lush and green while using less water:

1. Water Early in the Morning or Late in the Evening:

Watering during the heat of the day can cause the water to evaporate too quickly, wasting precious resources. Early morning or late evening watering allows the water to be absorbed more effectively by the plants.

2. Use a Drip Irrigation System:

Drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to the roots of plants, minimizing water waste through evaporation and runoff. These systems can be set on timers, ensuring that your plants get the right amount of water without any waste.

3. Choose Drought-Tolerant Plants:

Consider replacing high-water-demand plants with drought-tolerant varieties. These plants require less water, are often more resilient, and can still add beauty to your landscape.

4. Mulch Your Garden Beds:

Mulching helps retain moisture in the soil, reducing the frequency with which you need to water. It also helps suppress weeds, which compete with plants for water.

6. Innovative Technologies for Water Conservation

Modern technology has provided some great solutions for water conservation in the home. Here are some innovative devices and tools to consider:

1. Smart Water Meters:

Smart water meters track your water usage in real-time, alerting you to any unusual spikes in consumption. These meters can help you identify areas where you’re using more water than necessary and adjust accordingly.

2. Low-Flow Faucets and Showerheads:

In addition to low-flow showerheads, there are also low-flow faucets and aerators that can be easily installed in your kitchen or bathroom. These devices limit water flow without compromising water pressure.

3. Greywater Recycling Systems:

Greywater systems allow you to reuse water from activities like showering, washing dishes, or laundry for purposes like irrigation. Though they can be an upfront investment, they can help conserve water in the long run.

7. Water Conservation for the Whole Family

Getting the whole family involved in water conservation efforts is key to making lasting changes. Here are a few ways to encourage everyone to use water wisely:

1. Educate Your Family:

Explain the importance of water conservation to your family members and involve them in efforts to reduce water use. Set up goals, like reducing shower times or turning off taps, and make it a fun challenge.

2. Teach Kids to Turn Off the Tap:

Instill good habits early by teaching kids to turn off the tap when brushing their teeth and to take shorter showers. Create a habit by making these actions a part of the daily routine.

3. Make Water Conservation a Game:

Gamify water-saving habits by setting daily or weekly challenges. For example, see who can take the shortest shower or whose washing routine wastes the least water.

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FAQs

1. How much water can I save by reducing my shower time? By shortening your shower by just 2-3 minutes, you can save up to 1,000 gallons of water per year.
2. Do low-flow toilets really work? Yes! Low-flow toilets use significantly less water without sacrificing flushing power. They’re designed to conserve water while still effectively getting rid of waste.
3. How can I reduce water usage in my garden? Use drought-resistant plants, mulch your garden beds, and water early in the morning or late in the evening to minimize evaporation and runoff.
4. Can I install a water-saving showerhead myself? Yes, installing a low-flow showerhead is easy and requires no special skills. Most showerheads can be screwed into the existing pipe without professional help.
5. How can I check for leaks in my home? To check for leaks, read your water meter before and after a two-hour period during which no water is used. If the meter has changed, you may have a leak.
6. What is greywater and how can I reuse it? Greywater is wastewater from baths, showers, sinks, and washing machines. It can be reused for irrigation or toilet flushing with the help of a greywater system.
7. How much water does a dishwasher use? A dishwasher uses between 3-5 gallons per load, while washing dishes by hand can use up to 20 gallons.
8. Can I recycle water from my washing machine? Yes! With a greywater system, you can recycle water from your washing machine to irrigate your garden or lawn.
9. Is it really possible to conserve water and still have a beautiful garden? Absolutely! By choosing water-efficient plants, using mulch, and implementing a drip irrigation system, you can have a lush, thriving garden while saving water.
10. How can I make my home more water-efficient overall? Install low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets, fix leaks promptly, use energy-efficient appliances, and encourage everyone in the household to use water more consciously.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION https://ecolifevibe.com/2024/12/10/water-conservation-simple-ways-to-save-water-in-your-daily-routine/?utm_source

The adaptation strategies provided below are intended to inform and assist communities in identifying potential alternatives. They are illustrative and are presented to help communities consider possible ways to address anticipated current and future climate threats to contaminated site management.

On this page:

• Climate Impacts
  • Stormwater Runoff
  • Erosion and Sedimentation
  • Harmful Algal Blooms
• Source Documents
• Disclaimer

Stormwater Runoff

Apply Green Infrastructure Strategies

• Use Bioretention to collect stormwater runoff
  Bioretention is an adapted landscape feature that provides onsite storage and infiltration of collected stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff is directed from surfaces to a shallow depression that allows runoff to pond prior to infiltration in an area that is planted with water-tolerant vegetation. As runoff accumulates, it will pond and slowly travel through a filter bed (pictured on the right) where it either infiltrates into the ground or is discharged via an underdrain. Small-scale bioretention areas are often referred to as rain gardens.
• Use Blue Roof to hold precipitation after a storm event and discharge it at a controlled rate
  A blue roof is designed to hold up to eight inches of precipitation on its surface or in engineered trays. It is comparable to a vegetated roof without soil or vegetation. After a storm event, precipitation is stored on the roof and discharged at a controlled rate. Blue roofs greatly decrease the peak discharge of runoff and also allow water to evaporate into the air prior to being discharged.20 Precipitation discharge is controlled on a blue roof through a flow restriction device around a roof drain. The water can either be slowly released to a storm sewer system or to another GI practice such as a cistern or bioretention area.
• Use Permeable pavement to allow runoff to flow through and be temporarily stored prior to discharge
  Permeable pavement includes both pavements and pavers with void space that allow runoff to flow through the pavement (pictured left). Once runoff flows through the pavement, it is temporarily stored in an underground stone base prior to infiltrating into the ground or discharging from an under drain. Permeable pavers are highly effective at removing heavy metals, oils, and grease in runoff. Permeable pavement also removes nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen. Soil and engineered media filter pollutants as the runoff infiltrates through the porous surface. The void spaces in permeable pavement surfaces and reservoir layers provide storage capacity for runoff. All permeable pavement systems reduce runoff peak volume.
• Use Underground storage systems to detain runoff in underground receptacles
  Underground storage systems vary greatly in design. Underground storage systems detain runoff in underground receptacles that slowly release runoff. Often the underground receptacles are culverts, engineered stormwater detention vaults, or perforated pipes. One of the benefits of underground storage is that it does not take up additional surface area and can be implemented beneath roadways, parking lots, or athletic fields. Underground storage systems are typically designed to store large volumes of runoff and therefore can have a significant impact in reducing flooding and peak discharges.
• Use a stormwater tree trench to store and filter stormwater runoff
  A stormwater tree trench is a row of trees that is connected by an underground infiltration structure. At the ground level, trees planted in a tree trench do not look different than any other planted tree. Underneath the sidewalk, the trees sit in a trench that is engineered with layers of gravel and soil that store and filter stormwater runoff. Stormwater tree trenches provide both water quality and runoff reduction benefits.
• Use a retention pond to manage stormwater
  A retention pond is one of the earliest prototypes of GI, and is now considered a more traditional type of stormwater infrastructure because it has been integrated into gray infrastructure design. It is an engineered stormwater basin designed to store runoff and release it at a controlled rate while maintaining a level of ponded water. Pollutants and sediment loads are reduced as the runoff is retained in the basin. Retention ponds are a very common stormwater management practice and may be designed with sustainable elements to increase water quality and decrease peak discharges. Vegetated forebays may be added to increase sediment removal as well as provide habitat. Another enhancement to traditional stormwater retention ponds is the addition of an iron enhanced sand filter bench that removes dissolved substances such as phosphorus from runoff.
  • See how DC Utilizes Green Infrastructure to Manage Stormwater
• Use extended detention wetlands to reduce flood risk and provide water quality and ecological benefits
  Extended detention wetlands, such as the one shown in the figure on the right, may be designed as a flood mitigation strategy that also provides water quality and ecological benefits. Extended detention wetlands can require large land areas, but come with significant flood storage benefits. Extended detention wetlands can be created, restored (from previously filled wetlands), or enhanced existing wetlands. Wetlands typically store flood water during a storm and release it slowly, thereby reducing peak flows. An extended detention wetland allows water to remain in the wetland area for an extended period of time, which provides increased flood storage as well as water quality benefits.29 Extended detention wetlands are distinct from preservation of existing wetlands, but the two practices often are considered together as part of a watershed-based strategy.

Use Climate & Land Use Data

• Consider how current design standards are formulated a starting point to the discussion
  Rather than starting a conversation with a discussion of climate change projections, understand the current design standard for stormwater management. Then, engage decision makers to seek agreement on a threshold (e.g., the community will prepare for X storm) that is informed by historic data and reflects the risk tolerance of the community (e.g., what level of damage or disruption the community can tolerate at different costs). This also entails understanding the current design standard and whether performance can be enhanced for projects in the region.
• Demonstrate the use of dynamical downscaling on research projects at the site scale
  Decision makers can use local resources for climate change data from researchers at organizations within the area, such as universities, state meteorological agencies, and other organizations that may be involved in downscaling of climate change scenarios.
• Develop a “wish-list” of data that should be collected to improve understanding of climate changes
  Stormwater managers and geographic information system (GIS) staff can begin to collect this needed local data (e.g., establish and maintain more local weather gauges and monitoring stations). Partners in the community or neighboring jurisdictions may also be interested in pooling resources to develop or improve data sets.
• Use resources to show historical and future trend lines
  To understand future climate changes, techniques that use historic data, such as analogue events or other sensitivity and threshold information in the historic record, can be used as illustrations (e.g., see the IPCC [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] report Climate Change 2001: Working Group II: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability, Section 3.5. EPA’s SWC and SWMM-CAT provide regional downscaled climate projections. EPA is also developing a web application for visualizing and downloading climate model output: the Global Change Explorer.
  • Climate Change 2001: Working Group II: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability, Section 3.5 
  • EPA’s Global Change Explorer
  • See how Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts Assesses Climate Vulnerability

Use Natural Infrastructure

• Build swales and rain gardens
  Water temperature benefits include getting water underground and maintains aquifers. Other benefits can included keeping stormwater runoff out of waterways.
• Control stormwater runoff
  Water temperature benefits include reducing high peak flows that contribute to erosion and channel changes. Other benefits can include restoring natural hydrology, returning to natural sediment transport and geomorphology, reestablishing natural disturbance, and raising water quality.
• Plant trees
  Water temperature benefits include shading the ground and keeping water temperature cooler. Other benefits can include controlling stormwater runoff and promoting infiltration.
• Promote stormwater infiltration
  Water temperature benefits include getting water into aquifers and away from exposure to sun, and recharging groundwater that supplies baseflow that regulates stream temperature. Other benefits can include restoring natural hydrology, returning to natural sediment transport and geomorphology, and reestablishing natural disturbance.

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Erosion and Sedimentation

Apply Green Infrastructure Strategies

• Use Underground storage systems to detain runoff in underground receptacles
  Underground storage systems vary greatly in design. Underground storage systems detain runoff in underground receptacles that slowly release runoff. Often the underground receptacles are culverts, engineered stormwater detention vaults, or perforated pipes. One of the benefits of underground storage is that it does not take up additional surface area and can be implemented beneath roadways, parking lots, or athletic fields. Underground storage systems are typically designed to store large volumes of runoff and therefore can have a significant impact in reducing flooding and peak discharges.
• Use a retention pond to manage stormwater
  A retention pond is one of the earliest prototypes of GI, and is now considered a more traditional type of stormwater infrastructure because it has been integrated into gray infrastructure design. It is an engineered stormwater basin designed to store runoff and release it at a controlled rate while maintaining a level of ponded water. Pollutants and sediment loads are reduced as the runoff is retained in the basin. Retention ponds are a very common stormwater management practice and may be designed with sustainable elements to increase water quality and decrease peak discharges. Vegetated forebays may be added to increase sediment removal as well as provide habitat. Another enhancement to traditional stormwater retention ponds is the addition of an iron enhanced sand filter bench that removes dissolved substances such as phosphorus from runoff.
  • See how DC Utilizes Green Infrastructure to Manage Stormwater

Consider Cost and Benefits of Green Infrastructure

• Consider long-term benefits of green infrastructure in economic analysis of stormwater management plans
  Train local appraisers/commissioners to capture the full value of green infrastructure. Incorporate cobenefits into ROI calculations, such as ecosystem services and quality of life factors.

Use Natural Infrastructure

• Control soil erosion in the watershed
  Water temperature benefits include keeping sediment from clogging streambeds and interfering with groundwater exchange and keeping heat-trapping particles out of waterways. Other benefits can include returning to natural sediment transport and geomorphology, and raising water quality.
• Control stream bank erosion
  Water temperature benefits include keeping stream channels from getting wider and shallower and warming more easily. Other benefits can include maintaining natural sediment transport and geomorphology, and raising water quality.

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Harmful Algal Blooms

• Develop models to understand potential water quality changes
  In many areas, increased water temperatures will cause eutrophication and excess algal growth, which will reduce drinking water quality. The quality of drinking water sources may also be compromised by increased sediment or nutrient inputs due to extreme storm events. These impacts may be addressed with targeted watershed management plans.
  • See how Southern Nevada Water Authority Assesses Vulnerability To Climate Change
• Manage reservoir water quality
  Changes in precipitation and runoff timing, coupled with higher temperatures due to climate change, may lead to diminished reservoir water quality. Reservoir water quality can be maintained or improved by a combination of watershed management, to reduce pollutant runoff and promote groundwater recharge and reservoir management methods, such as lake aeration.
• Install effluent cooling systems
  Higher surface temperatures may contribute to making water quality standards or make temperature criteria more difficult to attain, as well as lead to greater outbreaks of harmful algal blooms. Therefore, efforts to reduce the temperature of treated wastewater discharges, such as additional effluent cooling systems, may be needed to help maintain water quality.
• Visit the Water Utility Source Water Quality Page – to view more Adaptation Strategies that can help support efforts to reduce water quality impacts from harmful algal blooms.

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Source Documents

These strategies are adapted from existing EPA, CDC and other federal resources. Please view these strategies in the context provided by the primary source documents:

• Being Prepared for Climate Change: A Workbook for Developing Risk-Based Adaptation Plans, Actions That Could Reduce Water Temperature, Appendix F
• Green Infrastructure for Climate Adaptation Stormwater
• Stormwater Management in Response to Climate Change

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Disclaimer

The adaptation strategies provided are intended to inform and assist communities in identifying potential alternatives. They are illustrative and are presented to help communities consider possible ways to address anticipated current and future climate threats to contaminated site management. Read the full disclaimer.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION https://www.epa.gov/arc-x/climate-impacts-water-quality

By Amy Souers Kober | January 31, 2025

Whether you’re making coffee in the morning, brushing your teeth, or filling up your kids’ water bottles, we all want to be confident that the water flowing from our faucets is safe. 

But the water sources for too many Americans are contaminated or at risk: 

• A recent news story raised concern about toxins in drinking water supplies and possible links to cancer.  
• Los Angeles residents have been cautioned to not drink the water following the catastrophic fires.  
• Toxic algae outbreaks – fueled by polluted runoff – have shut down water supplies in places like Toledo, Ohio, and also make playing in rivers and lakes potentially deadly for pets and wildlife. 
• Asheville, North Carolina residents were without clean drinking water for nearly two months following Hurricane Helene.  

Our nation may be divided on a lot of issues, but one thing we can all agree on is that clean water is a human right and a basic need. No matter who you are or where you live, we all need clean, safe, reliable drinking water. And most of our water comes from rivers.

The affiliate of American Rivers, the American Rivers Action Fund, has been conducting public opinion research to understand how people think about water. The findings show that concerns and support for clean water cuts across party lines and demographics.  

The main takeaway? Water is a unifying issue that can bridge divides and bring us together around urgently needed solutions for our rivers and communities. 

Voters agree. In 2024, all 23 water-related ballot measures across the country passed, safeguarding clean water for millions. 

But we have a lot more work to do. 

We must continue investing in river protection and smart water infrastructure to improve water quality and reliability for all Americans. Not only is this good for our health and safety, but investing in clean water creates jobs and stimulates the economy. 

In addition, decision-makers must resist efforts by polluters to unravel longstanding, common-sense clean water protections. That’s because prioritizing polluter profits over our clean water will compromise the health of our families and make regular people shoulder the costs. 

Pollution isn’t patriotic. Every American deserves clean water and healthy rivers. American Rivers is building a bigger, more inclusive effort for our water and rivers. We hope you will join us.  

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION https://www.americanrivers.org/2025/01/pollution-isnt-patriotic-americans-want-clean-water/

By Esme Stallard

Water companies should no longer be allowed to monitor their own levels of sewage pollution, the industry body has told the BBC exclusively.

Instead they are proposing a new, third-party monitoring system to build consumer trust.

The recommendation is part of a submission made to the UK government’s independent review into the water sector.

Campaigners have long complained the companies’ self-reporting has prevented the true scale of pollution in UK water being revealed.

A third-party system could add more pressure to the regulators, which have also been criticised for not holding the companies to account.

A report from the National Audit Office examining the three water regulators (Ofwat, the Environment Agency, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate) and Defra, is expected on Friday.

David Henderson, CEO of industry body Water UK, told the BBC: “We absolutely accept that self-monitoring is not helping to instil trust and so we would like to see an end to it, and in place of it a more robust, third-party system.”

As part of their permitting arrangements water companies are expected to regularly sample water quality to identify potential pollution, and submit this data to the Environment Agency in an arrangement known as “operator self monitoring”.

But there have been incidents of misreporting by water companies in England and Wales uncovered by the regulators, who said some cases had been deliberate.

Southern Water was previously issued fines totalling £213m by the industry regulator (Ofwat) and the environmental regulator (the Environment Agency) for manipulating sewage data.

In that case, there was unreported pollution into numerous conservation sites which caused “major environmental harm” to wildlife.

The company later admitted its actions “fell short”.

Henderson added that the industry never asked to self-monitor, but that it was introduced in 2009 by the then Labour government to “reduce the administrative burden” on the Environment Agency (EA).

In 2023, the BBC reported that EA staff were concerned that, due to funding cuts, the Agency was increasingly relying on water companies to self-report rather than carrying out its own checks on pollution from sewage.

The current environment minister, Steve Reed, has promised to review the system, calling it the equivalent of companies “mark[ing] their own homework”.

But the National Audit Office (NAO), which reviews government spending, questioned the ability of regulators, like the EA, to take on any new monitoring.

“Regulators need to address the fact that they currently have limited oversight over whether water companies are carrying out their work as expected. It is hard to see how they will achieve this without increased overall capacity,” said Anita Shah, NAO Director of Regulation.

It is expected to publish a full review of the regulation of the water sector on Friday.

A Defra spokesperson told the BBC: “We are committed to taking decisive action to fix the water industry. The Water Commission’s recommendations will mark the next major step [to] restore public trust in the sector.”

The government launched an independent water commission in October to review the sector and the way it is regulated. The public consultation closed on Wednesday with the findings expected in July.

Water UK submitted a 200-page document of recommendations, including this call to end self-monitoring.

The industry body also requested that water meters be universal across England and Wales to make bills fairer. At present about 60% of the population have a meter.

“The meter is just to ensure that people are paying for what they use as opposed to a flat rate of system where you can use virtually no water and pay the same as someone filling up a pool three times in a summer,” said Henderson.

“This doesn’t properly reflect the value of water and encourage people to conserve it in the way that we need,” he added.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxngw96qrgo

The widespread use of PFAS polymers in everything from consumer products to green technologies can lead to contamination of water, air, soil, food and people. A European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment, published today, says that these chemicals can also contribute to global warming and ozone depletion. 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been in the spotlight for more than a decade due to their potential impacts on human health and the environment. This is especially true for certain compounds such as PFOS and PFOA, while the impacts associated with the chemical form of PFAS known as ‘PFAS polymers’, which in simple terms consist of larger molecules, have been considered to be lower.

However, evidence now also suggests that PFAS polymers can lead to various types of impacts during their lifecycles according to the EEA briefing ‘PFAS polymers in focus: supporting Europe’s zero pollution, low-carbon and circular economy ambitions’. The analysis provides the latest knowledge about the potential impacts on health, the environment and climate and provides background context to EU proposals to clarify the use of PFAS in Europe. 

PFAS polymers currently make up a significant part, 24-40%, of the total volume of PFAS placed on the EU market, and they are widely used in a broad range of products and technologies. The EEA briefing stresses that it is essential to adopt a full life-cycle perspective on PFAS polymers when evaluating their impacts and deciding on their future use. 

Identified concerns 

It is generally understood that PFAS polymers are less toxic than non-polymeric PFAS. This is due to polymers having a larger molecular size, which limits their uptake into living cells (and therefore limits their potential toxicity). However, concerns have been raised in relation to a number of potential impacts during the lifecycle of PFAS polymers, the EEA briefing says. These concerns include:  

• Toxic effects to workers, the environment and communities surrounding factories can occur from chemicals used in the production of PFAS polymers and the different by-products generated during their production. Furthermore, there are environmental and human health concerns prompted by the degradation over time of certain PFAS polymers into smaller, persistent compounds, that may have a higher toxicity than their parent compounds. 
• Release of potent greenhouse gasses (e.g. trifluoromethane – HFC-23) and substances that can degrade the ozone layer (e.g. dichlorofluoromethane – HCFC-22) can occur during the production of PFAS polymers.
• The widespread presence of PFAS polymers in products and materials can potentially act as a future barrier for recycling, since it is difficult to trace and separate these materials at the waste stage. 

EU action 

A recently proposed universal PFAS restriction under the EU’s REACH regulation, brought forward by Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, aims to ban all PFAS (including PFAS polymers) except for certain uses which have time-limited derogations. In a recent communication from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the dossier submitters, it was stated that restriction options, other than a ban, were also being considered for some uses. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/newsroom/news/impacts-of-pfas-polymers