1) The document discusses the practice of recycling reclaimed water from wastewater treatment plants to farmers for use in spray irrigation. It notes economic, environmental, and sociological benefits but also discusses past negative public perceptions due to some facilities not following proper protocols.
2) As the population of Sussex County grows, decisions around wastewater treatment and disposal will impact the environment, economy, and community for decades. Expanding capacity through central treatment plants that provide reclaimed water to farmers for irrigation is one proposed solution.
3) Private utilities plan to build multiple new central wastewater treatment plants over the next 10 years. These facilities will need large tracts of land, around 500-1000 acres each, to apply
Green infrastructure: Reconnecting Agriculture and Communities
`
For more information, Please see websites below:
`
Organic Edible Schoolyards & Gardening with Children
http://scribd.com/doc/239851214
`
Double Food Production from your School Garden with Organic Tech
http://scribd.com/doc/239851079
`
Free School Gardening Art Posters
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159`
`
Increase Food Production with Companion Planting in your School Garden
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159
`
Healthy Foods Dramatically Improves Student Academic Success
http://scribd.com/doc/239851348
`
City Chickens for your Organic School Garden
http://scribd.com/doc/239850440
`
Simple Square Foot Gardening for Schools - Teacher Guide
http://scribd.com/doc/239851110
This document discusses how wetlands can help reduce Canada's municipal infrastructure deficit by improving water quality and reducing flooding risks. It notes that 70-90% of prairie wetlands have been drained, contributing to problems like algae blooms that strain aging water infrastructure. Wetlands naturally filter and clean water by capturing nutrients and sediment. The document argues that municipal leaders should advocate more for wetland protection through regulations and compensation programs that offset costs to farmers, and also raise public awareness of wetlands' benefits to gain broader political support. Protecting and restoring wetlands could help lower infrastructure repair and replacement costs in the long run.
This document provides information about the Sierra Club - John Muir Chapter in Wisconsin. It discusses the chapter's priorities such as reducing climate change, protecting water resources, and preventing destructive mining impacts. It provides statistics about Wisconsin's lakes, rivers, and groundwater resources. It also summarizes the chapter's accomplishments and ongoing work advocating for clean water and opposing pollution from concentrated animal feeding operations.
This document discusses a proposed method for dynamically varying water flows to balance the needs of landholders and aquatic ecosystems. Sensors and cloud computing could be used to better meet the flow needs of ecosystems identified by recent research, like certain flows acting as cues for breeding. A case study shows DNRM currently uses cloud software to automate notifications to landholders based on flow data. The proposal aims to maximize benefits for both stakeholders by restricting extraction only when flows provide little ecosystem benefit, while ensuring total annual water availability for irrigation is not reduced.
Cases in Water Conservation: How Efficiency Programs Help Water Utilities Sav...Kardatou54a
This document provides case studies of 17 water systems that implemented successful water conservation programs. It summarizes the problems each system faced, the approaches they took to implement conservation programs, and the results achieved, which included significant water savings, reduced costs, and delayed or avoided infrastructure expansion needs. The case studies demonstrate a wide range of techniques used by systems of various sizes to achieve water management goals through strategic conservation efforts.
The North Fort Bend Water Authority has delivered surface water to utility districts in northeast Fort Bend County more than two years ahead of schedule. This allows the Authority to earn "early conversion credits" that can be applied to future goals for reducing dependence on groundwater. The Authority has installed over 26 miles of pipeline to connect districts to the new surface water supply from the City of Houston. By beginning the conversion earlier than required, the Authority gains a buffer against potential delays in meeting groundwater reduction targets.
The document discusses the history of drought in Texas, noting that paleoclimatological evidence shows megadroughts have occurred in Texas lasting 20-40 years. It provides examples of droughts impacting Native Americans, Spanish explorers, early Texas settlers, the Civil War era, and throughout the 20th century. The most severe recent drought was in the 1950s, but the late 1980s drought was also particularly damaging, costing nearly $40 billion.
This document provides technical information on various rainwater harvesting techniques. It discusses strategies for harvesting rainwater on rooftops, in the soil, and in ponds, dams, tanks and other water storage structures. The document emphasizes that rainwater harvesting requires investment of resources and ongoing maintenance. It should be implemented with community participation to ensure projects are sustainable. Rainwater harvesting can help farmers deal with unpredictable rainfall and increase crop yields.
Green infrastructure: Reconnecting Agriculture and Communities
`
For more information, Please see websites below:
`
Organic Edible Schoolyards & Gardening with Children
http://scribd.com/doc/239851214
`
Double Food Production from your School Garden with Organic Tech
http://scribd.com/doc/239851079
`
Free School Gardening Art Posters
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159`
`
Increase Food Production with Companion Planting in your School Garden
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159
`
Healthy Foods Dramatically Improves Student Academic Success
http://scribd.com/doc/239851348
`
City Chickens for your Organic School Garden
http://scribd.com/doc/239850440
`
Simple Square Foot Gardening for Schools - Teacher Guide
http://scribd.com/doc/239851110
This document discusses how wetlands can help reduce Canada's municipal infrastructure deficit by improving water quality and reducing flooding risks. It notes that 70-90% of prairie wetlands have been drained, contributing to problems like algae blooms that strain aging water infrastructure. Wetlands naturally filter and clean water by capturing nutrients and sediment. The document argues that municipal leaders should advocate more for wetland protection through regulations and compensation programs that offset costs to farmers, and also raise public awareness of wetlands' benefits to gain broader political support. Protecting and restoring wetlands could help lower infrastructure repair and replacement costs in the long run.
This document provides information about the Sierra Club - John Muir Chapter in Wisconsin. It discusses the chapter's priorities such as reducing climate change, protecting water resources, and preventing destructive mining impacts. It provides statistics about Wisconsin's lakes, rivers, and groundwater resources. It also summarizes the chapter's accomplishments and ongoing work advocating for clean water and opposing pollution from concentrated animal feeding operations.
This document discusses a proposed method for dynamically varying water flows to balance the needs of landholders and aquatic ecosystems. Sensors and cloud computing could be used to better meet the flow needs of ecosystems identified by recent research, like certain flows acting as cues for breeding. A case study shows DNRM currently uses cloud software to automate notifications to landholders based on flow data. The proposal aims to maximize benefits for both stakeholders by restricting extraction only when flows provide little ecosystem benefit, while ensuring total annual water availability for irrigation is not reduced.
Cases in Water Conservation: How Efficiency Programs Help Water Utilities Sav...Kardatou54a
This document provides case studies of 17 water systems that implemented successful water conservation programs. It summarizes the problems each system faced, the approaches they took to implement conservation programs, and the results achieved, which included significant water savings, reduced costs, and delayed or avoided infrastructure expansion needs. The case studies demonstrate a wide range of techniques used by systems of various sizes to achieve water management goals through strategic conservation efforts.
The North Fort Bend Water Authority has delivered surface water to utility districts in northeast Fort Bend County more than two years ahead of schedule. This allows the Authority to earn "early conversion credits" that can be applied to future goals for reducing dependence on groundwater. The Authority has installed over 26 miles of pipeline to connect districts to the new surface water supply from the City of Houston. By beginning the conversion earlier than required, the Authority gains a buffer against potential delays in meeting groundwater reduction targets.
The document discusses the history of drought in Texas, noting that paleoclimatological evidence shows megadroughts have occurred in Texas lasting 20-40 years. It provides examples of droughts impacting Native Americans, Spanish explorers, early Texas settlers, the Civil War era, and throughout the 20th century. The most severe recent drought was in the 1950s, but the late 1980s drought was also particularly damaging, costing nearly $40 billion.
This document provides technical information on various rainwater harvesting techniques. It discusses strategies for harvesting rainwater on rooftops, in the soil, and in ponds, dams, tanks and other water storage structures. The document emphasizes that rainwater harvesting requires investment of resources and ongoing maintenance. It should be implemented with community participation to ensure projects are sustainable. Rainwater harvesting can help farmers deal with unpredictable rainfall and increase crop yields.
California Water Stewards: Innovative On-Farm Water Management PracticesKardatou54a
This summary highlights water conservation practices at American Farms in Salinas, CA:
1) They use permanent 80-inch beds with minimum tillage that reduces water needs by limiting exposed soil surfaces and maintaining consistent soil moisture levels.
2) A permanent set sprinkler system allows for flexible, plant-needs based irrigation instead of fixed schedules, reducing over-watering.
3) Vegetable transplants further reduce water by establishing crops from starts instead of seed. Together these practices have increased water efficiency and allowed multiple crops per field each year.
The document provides an environmental assessment matrix for a proposed hydropower dam project in Tioga County, PA. It analyzes the impacts of a no action alternative compared to several preferred action alternatives. The preferred alternatives involve constructing hydropower dams in Bradford County and Lackawanna County, which are similar to Tioga County in that they have large forested areas and timber industries that could provide economic benefits. However, the hydropower dams may negatively impact the local environment through increased pollution, disruption of habitats and aquatic life, and contamination of water resources. The document discusses developing strategies to mitigate these impacts and protect critical natural resources.
This document discusses rainwater harvesting policies and regulations. It begins by outlining the benefits of rainwater harvesting, which include providing an inexpensive water supply, augmenting drinking water supplies, reducing stormwater runoff and pollution, and reducing peak summer water demands. However, rainwater harvesting is not widely addressed by regulations and codes. The document then examines typical domestic and commercial water usage and how rainwater could be used more appropriately for non-potable uses like irrigation and toilet flushing. Key considerations for developing rainwater harvesting policies and regulations include appropriate water quality standards and treatment requirements to prevent cross-contamination based on end uses. Jurisdictions vary in their rules, with some allowing potable reuse and others limiting reuse to
Sustainable? agriculture and water in California DavidBainbridge5
California has some serious water supply problems. Use in many areas exceeds annual rainfall. Hundreds of thousands of acres will be abandoned. What can be done?
Waterfall, patricia h. (universidad de arizona) harvesting rainwaterPlan Huerta
This document provides guidance on harvesting rainwater for landscape use. It discusses the components of a rainwater harvesting system, including the water supply (rainfall), plant water demands, and the system to move water. Simple systems can direct roof runoff to landscaped areas using gutters, downspouts and berms. Proper plant selection and constructing basins and swales can maximize water storage and direct runoff. Regular maintenance is needed to keep the system functioning well.
This document discusses drought conditions and management strategies in several western U.S. states including California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado. It defines drought and notes that definitions vary in different locations. Several impacts of drought are outlined, such as mandatory water use reductions, increased groundwater pumping, economic impacts to agriculture, and increased fire danger. The document also discusses various approaches for addressing drought conditions, including water transfers, conservation efforts, water recycling, conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water, and raising water prices.
The document discusses how rainwater harvesting can support both ecosystem services and human well-being by increasing water availability through collection and storage of rainfall. It notes that rainfall and water are fundamental to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and determine their productivity, while also meeting increasing human demands. The document explores how rainwater harvesting may help address challenges of managing water resources and ecosystems under climate change and development pressures.
Albuquerque, New Mexico Rainwater Harvesting ManualD6Z
This document provides a guide for rainwater harvesting systems in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It discusses simple rainwater harvesting systems that consist of a catchment area, distribution system, and landscape holding area. The guide describes how to design and construct simple systems, including using roofing as a catchment, gutters and downspouts as a distribution system, and depressed planting beds as holding areas. It emphasizes using native and drought-tolerant plants suited to intermittent water supplies.
This document provides a conceptual restoration plan for a closed landfill located on Curve Lake First Nations land in Ontario, Canada. The plan aims to address issues like potential groundwater contamination from the landfill and restore native plant species. Key elements of the plan include removing garbage from the landfill; monitoring groundwater quality; replanting native tree, shrub and plant species; and long-term management through annual water and soil sampling and vegetation monitoring. The estimated budget is $172,668 and the projected timeline is from May 2016 to September 2026. Funding will be sought from environmental grants and community fundraising.
Water Use and Conservation - New HampshireKaila694m
New Hampshire faces challenges managing its water resources to meet growing demand while ensuring sustainability. Water use is increasing due to population growth and discretionary outdoor uses like lawn watering. Climate change and aging infrastructure exacerbate these pressures. Conservation efforts aim to reduce water usage through education, efficient fixtures, leak detection, and rate structures, but face obstacles from initial costs and public resistance. Comprehensive management includes registering large water users to track demands on resources.
This document provides an executive summary of a research project on the vulnerability of Pakistan's water sector to climate change impacts. It finds that climate change is expected to have a limited impact on total annual water flows in the near term but may affect timing and variability. Large knowledge gaps remain regarding impacts in the complex Upper Indus basin region. While water demand is projected to grow substantially due to population and economic factors, strong actions are needed to reduce demand in order to balance it with available supply under a changing climate. The project aimed to identify research gaps and recommend actions to enhance Pakistan's climate resilience and adaptive capacity.
Resource utilization and managing conflict in the pastoral community of Ethio...ILRI
Presentation by Dr Tilahun Amede for the 5th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture and the 18th Annual Meeting of the Ethiopian Society of Animal Production (ESAP), Addis Ababa, October 25-28, 2010.
The document summarizes a public meeting about water issues in Mesa County, Colorado. The agenda included discussions on local water supplies, challenges like endangered fish and water quality, population growth projections, and filling the gap between future water supply and demand. Attendees provided input on basin implementation plans and principles like protecting senior water rights and local control over water planning. Breakout sessions covered topics like agricultural, environmental, and policy issues.
26 nov16 reservoir_command_area_managementIWRS Society
1) Reservoir command area management aims to optimize agricultural production and productivity through efficient irrigation and integrated water management.
2) Command area development authorities are established to manage irrigation command areas through activities like field channel and drain construction and rotational water supply.
3) Reservoir command area management is significant for addressing issues like floods and droughts, ensuring food security, and allowing for river interlinking projects through canal networks and drainage systems.
Clean water is essential for communities but is increasingly threatened. NRDC is working to address the water crisis by promoting water efficiency, protecting water from pollution through defending the Clean Water Act, helping communities prepare for climate change impacts, and ensuring sufficient water for ecosystems. Key strategies include adopting water-efficient standards, supporting utility investments in conservation, improving pricing structures, drawing on the Clean Water Act to protect waterways, and establishing new pollution limits.
This document presents information about rural water access and management. It discusses human rights to water, global water statistics showing rural populations have less access, and water sources. Facts are given about the MENA region where most countries have low water resources. The document also outlines water conditions in Lebanon, noting water scarcity and pollution issues especially impacting rural areas. Sustainable management of water resources is discussed as important for ensuring adequate, safe water access.
This document discusses how agricultural production in the U.S. has become highly concentrated in specific regions due to economic and environmental factors over the last century. There is a concern that this concentration makes U.S. agriculture vulnerable to regional droughts. The document explores shifting some production to the Southeast U.S. to diversify risks and reduce impacts on water resources and proposes further modeling work to evaluate economic viability and environmental sustainability of expanded irrigation in the Southeast.
1) The document discusses the effect of climate change on water related disasters in Indonesia. It notes that climate change has led to increasing temperatures, more intense rainfall, rising sea levels and more extreme conditions like flooding and drought.
2) It outlines Indonesia's water resources law and the government's holistic approach to integrated water resources management that includes conservation, utilization and disaster control.
3) The document proposes strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change impacts like improving water infrastructure, reforestation, and water management.
The document discusses the global challenge of water scarcity. It notes that while the Earth is mostly water, only 3% is freshwater and availability is decreasing as consumption increases. By 2025, demand is expected to exceed supply by over 50% and many regions will face water stress. Solutions are needed to manage both direct and indirect water usage through trade and dietary changes. Sanitation is also a key issue that requires sustainable water supply solutions, especially in developing areas.
The circulatory system consists of the heart, blood, and blood vessels. The heart is a muscular organ located behind the sternum in the thoracic cavity between the lungs, tilted slightly left. It is around 12cm long, 9cm wide and weighs 300g. The heart has a double membrane called the pericardium and is protected by pericardial fluid between the membranes, which allows it to function smoothly.
California Water Stewards: Innovative On-Farm Water Management PracticesKardatou54a
This summary highlights water conservation practices at American Farms in Salinas, CA:
1) They use permanent 80-inch beds with minimum tillage that reduces water needs by limiting exposed soil surfaces and maintaining consistent soil moisture levels.
2) A permanent set sprinkler system allows for flexible, plant-needs based irrigation instead of fixed schedules, reducing over-watering.
3) Vegetable transplants further reduce water by establishing crops from starts instead of seed. Together these practices have increased water efficiency and allowed multiple crops per field each year.
The document provides an environmental assessment matrix for a proposed hydropower dam project in Tioga County, PA. It analyzes the impacts of a no action alternative compared to several preferred action alternatives. The preferred alternatives involve constructing hydropower dams in Bradford County and Lackawanna County, which are similar to Tioga County in that they have large forested areas and timber industries that could provide economic benefits. However, the hydropower dams may negatively impact the local environment through increased pollution, disruption of habitats and aquatic life, and contamination of water resources. The document discusses developing strategies to mitigate these impacts and protect critical natural resources.
This document discusses rainwater harvesting policies and regulations. It begins by outlining the benefits of rainwater harvesting, which include providing an inexpensive water supply, augmenting drinking water supplies, reducing stormwater runoff and pollution, and reducing peak summer water demands. However, rainwater harvesting is not widely addressed by regulations and codes. The document then examines typical domestic and commercial water usage and how rainwater could be used more appropriately for non-potable uses like irrigation and toilet flushing. Key considerations for developing rainwater harvesting policies and regulations include appropriate water quality standards and treatment requirements to prevent cross-contamination based on end uses. Jurisdictions vary in their rules, with some allowing potable reuse and others limiting reuse to
Sustainable? agriculture and water in California DavidBainbridge5
California has some serious water supply problems. Use in many areas exceeds annual rainfall. Hundreds of thousands of acres will be abandoned. What can be done?
Waterfall, patricia h. (universidad de arizona) harvesting rainwaterPlan Huerta
This document provides guidance on harvesting rainwater for landscape use. It discusses the components of a rainwater harvesting system, including the water supply (rainfall), plant water demands, and the system to move water. Simple systems can direct roof runoff to landscaped areas using gutters, downspouts and berms. Proper plant selection and constructing basins and swales can maximize water storage and direct runoff. Regular maintenance is needed to keep the system functioning well.
This document discusses drought conditions and management strategies in several western U.S. states including California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado. It defines drought and notes that definitions vary in different locations. Several impacts of drought are outlined, such as mandatory water use reductions, increased groundwater pumping, economic impacts to agriculture, and increased fire danger. The document also discusses various approaches for addressing drought conditions, including water transfers, conservation efforts, water recycling, conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water, and raising water prices.
The document discusses how rainwater harvesting can support both ecosystem services and human well-being by increasing water availability through collection and storage of rainfall. It notes that rainfall and water are fundamental to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and determine their productivity, while also meeting increasing human demands. The document explores how rainwater harvesting may help address challenges of managing water resources and ecosystems under climate change and development pressures.
Albuquerque, New Mexico Rainwater Harvesting ManualD6Z
This document provides a guide for rainwater harvesting systems in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It discusses simple rainwater harvesting systems that consist of a catchment area, distribution system, and landscape holding area. The guide describes how to design and construct simple systems, including using roofing as a catchment, gutters and downspouts as a distribution system, and depressed planting beds as holding areas. It emphasizes using native and drought-tolerant plants suited to intermittent water supplies.
This document provides a conceptual restoration plan for a closed landfill located on Curve Lake First Nations land in Ontario, Canada. The plan aims to address issues like potential groundwater contamination from the landfill and restore native plant species. Key elements of the plan include removing garbage from the landfill; monitoring groundwater quality; replanting native tree, shrub and plant species; and long-term management through annual water and soil sampling and vegetation monitoring. The estimated budget is $172,668 and the projected timeline is from May 2016 to September 2026. Funding will be sought from environmental grants and community fundraising.
Water Use and Conservation - New HampshireKaila694m
New Hampshire faces challenges managing its water resources to meet growing demand while ensuring sustainability. Water use is increasing due to population growth and discretionary outdoor uses like lawn watering. Climate change and aging infrastructure exacerbate these pressures. Conservation efforts aim to reduce water usage through education, efficient fixtures, leak detection, and rate structures, but face obstacles from initial costs and public resistance. Comprehensive management includes registering large water users to track demands on resources.
This document provides an executive summary of a research project on the vulnerability of Pakistan's water sector to climate change impacts. It finds that climate change is expected to have a limited impact on total annual water flows in the near term but may affect timing and variability. Large knowledge gaps remain regarding impacts in the complex Upper Indus basin region. While water demand is projected to grow substantially due to population and economic factors, strong actions are needed to reduce demand in order to balance it with available supply under a changing climate. The project aimed to identify research gaps and recommend actions to enhance Pakistan's climate resilience and adaptive capacity.
Resource utilization and managing conflict in the pastoral community of Ethio...ILRI
Presentation by Dr Tilahun Amede for the 5th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture and the 18th Annual Meeting of the Ethiopian Society of Animal Production (ESAP), Addis Ababa, October 25-28, 2010.
The document summarizes a public meeting about water issues in Mesa County, Colorado. The agenda included discussions on local water supplies, challenges like endangered fish and water quality, population growth projections, and filling the gap between future water supply and demand. Attendees provided input on basin implementation plans and principles like protecting senior water rights and local control over water planning. Breakout sessions covered topics like agricultural, environmental, and policy issues.
26 nov16 reservoir_command_area_managementIWRS Society
1) Reservoir command area management aims to optimize agricultural production and productivity through efficient irrigation and integrated water management.
2) Command area development authorities are established to manage irrigation command areas through activities like field channel and drain construction and rotational water supply.
3) Reservoir command area management is significant for addressing issues like floods and droughts, ensuring food security, and allowing for river interlinking projects through canal networks and drainage systems.
Clean water is essential for communities but is increasingly threatened. NRDC is working to address the water crisis by promoting water efficiency, protecting water from pollution through defending the Clean Water Act, helping communities prepare for climate change impacts, and ensuring sufficient water for ecosystems. Key strategies include adopting water-efficient standards, supporting utility investments in conservation, improving pricing structures, drawing on the Clean Water Act to protect waterways, and establishing new pollution limits.
This document presents information about rural water access and management. It discusses human rights to water, global water statistics showing rural populations have less access, and water sources. Facts are given about the MENA region where most countries have low water resources. The document also outlines water conditions in Lebanon, noting water scarcity and pollution issues especially impacting rural areas. Sustainable management of water resources is discussed as important for ensuring adequate, safe water access.
This document discusses how agricultural production in the U.S. has become highly concentrated in specific regions due to economic and environmental factors over the last century. There is a concern that this concentration makes U.S. agriculture vulnerable to regional droughts. The document explores shifting some production to the Southeast U.S. to diversify risks and reduce impacts on water resources and proposes further modeling work to evaluate economic viability and environmental sustainability of expanded irrigation in the Southeast.
1) The document discusses the effect of climate change on water related disasters in Indonesia. It notes that climate change has led to increasing temperatures, more intense rainfall, rising sea levels and more extreme conditions like flooding and drought.
2) It outlines Indonesia's water resources law and the government's holistic approach to integrated water resources management that includes conservation, utilization and disaster control.
3) The document proposes strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change impacts like improving water infrastructure, reforestation, and water management.
The document discusses the global challenge of water scarcity. It notes that while the Earth is mostly water, only 3% is freshwater and availability is decreasing as consumption increases. By 2025, demand is expected to exceed supply by over 50% and many regions will face water stress. Solutions are needed to manage both direct and indirect water usage through trade and dietary changes. Sanitation is also a key issue that requires sustainable water supply solutions, especially in developing areas.
The circulatory system consists of the heart, blood, and blood vessels. The heart is a muscular organ located behind the sternum in the thoracic cavity between the lungs, tilted slightly left. It is around 12cm long, 9cm wide and weighs 300g. The heart has a double membrane called the pericardium and is protected by pericardial fluid between the membranes, which allows it to function smoothly.
Why was GM Thailand so successful in the early years?Tom Wilson
Tom Wilson is a GM veteran of 41 years who has extensive experience implementing lean manufacturing in GM plants around the world, including 2 years at a Toyota plant. He discusses why GM Thailand was so successful in its early years, noting that it had a young and eager Thai workforce, strong leadership and processes, and a focus on teamwork, communication, and continuous learning. Wilson provides advice for foreign managers in Thailand, emphasizing understanding Thai culture, adapting management styles, developing trust and strong employee relationships, and focusing on teamwork, motivation, and creating a non-threatening learning environment.
The document discusses effective SEO tactics used by MarketingMagicMojo.com, including producing high quality, shareable content to avoid Google penalties, writing articles and press releases, using promotional copy, sharing content socially, and contacting MarketingMagicMojo.com for more information and a consultation.
Mohamed Ahmed Aldahshan is a senior human resources manager with over 11 years of experience in HR management, personnel administration, and general business operations. He is currently seeking a new challenging managerial role. He has strong skills in HR policies and procedures, recruitment, performance management, training, and statutory compliance. Previously, he worked as an HR assistant manager for an engineering consultancy and assistant show manager for an interior design exhibition in Saudi Arabia. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.
The document provides a summary of Raji's experience as a Quality Assurance professional. Over 10+ years of experience testing software applications across various industries using manual and automated testing tools. Expertise includes test planning, functional and regression testing, test automation with Selenium and other tools, and working with agile methodologies. Current role is as a Senior Automation Test Engineer at ABB focusing on test automation and quality assurance.
We need to know the basics of responsive design, as well as the benefits and drawbacks in order to be active participants in conversations about software trends and innovation. We'll walk through what exactly responsive design is, show examples of it’s implementation, and talk about next steps and what this means for your individual role.
The document provides background information on the historical development of procurement laws in the Philippines and an overview of the key provisions of Republic Act 9184 (R.A. 9184) and its revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). It discusses the enactment of R.A. 9184, also known as the Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA), in 2003 to consolidate procurement rules and regulations. It also summarizes the functions of important procurement organizations established under the law such as the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) and Bids and Awards Committee (BAC).
Topic: KINDERGARTEN AND ELEMENTARY
Discussant: EMILY R. MARUNDAN
Subject: Politics and Economics of Educational
Professor: MARLO FIEL P. SULTAN, Ed.D
Bicol University Graduate School
Water resources in the USA face issues like water shortage, pollution, and aging infrastructure exacerbated by climate change. Over 1.7 million people lack basic plumbing access. Water management needs to improve health while balancing costs, with average water bills varying significantly between cities. Solutions include pollution control, water reuse, and federal funding through programs like the State Revolving Funds and water recycling projects.
Water resources in the USA face issues like water shortage, pollution, and aging infrastructure exacerbated by climate change. Over 1.7 million people lack basic plumbing access. Water management needs to improve health while balancing costs, with average water bills varying significantly between cities. Solutions include pollution control, water reuse, and federal funding through programs like the State Revolving Funds and water recycling projects.
Watershed Management Essay
Water Conservation Essay
Essay On Water Supply System
Essay On Integrated Water Management
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Water Management
The Water Crisis and Solutions Essay
Thesis Statement On Water Scarcity
Essay on Water Treatment Process
New Water Management System Essay
The document discusses land use and population growth along the Potomac River watershed and the threats this poses to water quality. Explosive population growth is projected to add over 2 million new residents by 2040, increasing pressures from urban sprawl and impervious surfaces. This threatens to undo clean water progress as polluted runoff from developed lands has become the largest source of pollution. Both rural and urban areas face challenges, including loss of forests and streamside buffers in rural lands and aging sewer infrastructure in cities overburdened by growth. Smart planning that manages growth, protects natural areas, and updates aging systems is needed to support the region's growth while restoring the Potomac River.
Methods and technologies to improve efficiency of water useDamion Lawrence
This document discusses methods and technologies to improve water use efficiency. It notes that competition for freshwater supplies will require maximizing productivity per unit of water consumed rather than land area. Broad systems approaches are needed to optimize irrigation based on factors like water delivery, rainfall, crop needs, soil, and weather. Water can be conserved by reducing evaporation and transpiration and minimizing unusable losses. Agricultural advances will include more efficient irrigation technologies, higher value crops that use less water, and drought-tolerant alternatives. Both agricultural and non-agricultural users will need to cooperate and compromise to adopt more conservative water use approaches.
New efforts in planning for large scale ecosystem restoration in the Sacramen...Cory Copeland
The Delta Stewardship Council (Council) is responsible for promoting the coequal goals of providing a more reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ecosystem that forms the upper portion of the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary. The Council is responsible for writing an enforceable Delta Plan for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Marsh. After a multi-year development process that included extensive public engagement and scientific synthesis, the Council, in 2020, authorized initiation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) environmental review of its proposed amendment to the Delta Plan focused on ecosystem protection, restoration, and enhancement. The amendment consists of six new and revised ecosystem performance measures, an updated narrative which includes four new and revised policies and 14 recommendations, and seven technical and regulatory appendices. The amendment is novel in that it focuses on landscape-scale process-based restoration, acknowledges the many social benefits from ecosystem restoration, utilizes advanced technical climate change analyses informed by best available science, and employs more rigorous tracking of progress in meeting Delta Plan objectives. The amendment embraces a portfolio of approaches to adaptively manage ecosystems in highly altered and changing landscapes, and strives to reestablish ecological processes in natural communities at a sufficient scale (and with connectivity, complexity, and diversity) to be resilient to land conversion and climate change. This digital poster will describe the collaborative science-driven process the Council used in developing the amendment, the draft currently under environmental review, and lessons for resource managers in other systems facing the challenge of planning ecosystem recovery amidst ongoing anthropogenic stressors and a rapidly changing climate.
1-Presentation - Food,Water,Energy Nexus in arena of Climate changeKirit Shelat
This document discusses the interconnected challenges of water, energy, and food security, and how addressing them through a nexus approach can help adapt to climate change. It notes increasing global demands for these resources and competition between sectors. A nexus approach seeks coordinated solutions across sectors through policies, planning, and stakeholder engagement. Addressing the drivers of vulnerability in specific sectors can build resilience while providing co-benefits across the nexus, like increasing resource use efficiency and availability. Examples discussed include adopting more efficient irrigation techniques, renewable energy, drought-resistant crops, and managing watersheds and river basins in an integrated way.
This document summarizes a report about the unintended consequences of the Renewable Fuel Standard on land, wildlife, and water quality. It finds that the increased demand for corn driven by the RFS led farmers to convert over 7 million acres of native habitat like prairie and wetlands to cropland. This habitat loss negatively impacted many species like waterfowl, grassland birds, and pollinators. The expansion of corn production and lack of buffer strips also degraded water quality in many regions. While the goals of the RFS were intended to boost renewable fuels and reduce emissions, the policy has largely failed to achieve significant emissions reductions and instead contributed to serious environmental impacts.
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is under threat due to increasing water demands and changing environmental conditions. The Bay Delta Conservation Plan aims to protect endangered species and restore water supplies through habitat conservation and restoration. It also establishes an adaptive management program to address changing conditions over time. The BDCP seeks to balance the needs of the environment, agriculture and growing urban populations through a comprehensive strategy.
This document provides an overview of watershed development. It defines a watershed as an area of land that drains water to a common point. It describes the characteristics of watersheds including size, shape, physiography, slope, climate, drainage, vegetation, geology and soils, hydrology, and socioeconomics. It outlines the objectives, advantages, management measures, types, and aims of watershed development programs. It also discusses rainwater harvesting, development work carried out in watersheds, economic assessment, and the role of cooperative societies in watershed management.
The Arkansas Water Plan aims to conserve, develop, and protect the state's water resources for long-term sustainable use through comprehensive planning. Two key issues are ensuring sufficient irrigation water supply while conserving aquifers and surface sources, and maintaining infrastructure for water, wastewater, flood control and drainage. Crop irrigation is the largest demand, and while groundwater supplies most current needs, surface water use must increase to reduce groundwater usage to sustainable levels and close a projected 7 million acre-foot gap for irrigation by 2050. Solutions include on-farm conservation and use of excess surface water through new storage and distribution projects.
This proposal suggests a tax credit for Utah residents who convert their water-intensive lawns into water-wise landscapes. Utah faces increasing water demands from its growing population, but receives little annual precipitation. Most residents use over half their water outside on lawns. The tax credit would cover costs of installing water collection, graywater, or other conservation systems. This would incentivize individuals to reduce water use, helping ensure sufficient long-term water supply as the population doubles by 2050. Estimates show residents could save over 29,000 gallons and $350 annually through such conversions.
Water demand has greatly increased in the Middle East due to population growth, urbanization, and improved lifestyles. However, water resources are limited in many countries in the region. Agricultural use accounts for over 80% of water withdrawals in some countries. While governments have focused on developing new water supplies, policy reforms and wastewater recycling are also needed to manage rising demand. Wastewater reuse remains limited but has potential to help address the growing water crisis across the Middle East and North Africa.
Integrated Water Resource Planning - Water, Forests, People and PolicyGeoEngineers, Inc.
This slideshow presents a series of graphics, photographs and statements reflective of integrated water resource management with specific reference to forest management in a changing climate. We are already experiencing the migration of animals and humans with climate shifts. The severity and frequency of wildfires, droughts, floods and ocean acidification are also increasing. Impacts to our economy, infrastructure and atmosphere have lead us to difficult choices regarding land use and future policy development to better manage our natural resources.
Wayne Wright, CFP, PWS
Sr. Principal, Fisheries & Wetland Scientist, Market Intelligence Leader at GeoEngineers
The document discusses water scarcity issues facing Western US states. It notes that the population in Western states grew significantly in the 1990s and 2000s, increasing demand for water resources. Several Western states are also among the driest in the nation. The document outlines that thermoelectric power generation, irrigation, and public supply account for the majority of water usage in the Western US. Sustainable water resource management is challenging given population growth, limited opportunities for developing new water supplies, and competing demands.
The Southmost Regional Water Authority desalination plant in Brownsville, Texas treats 5 million gallons of water per day to meet about 40% of the water needs for five areas in Cameron County. The plant produces bottle-quality water at a lower cost than treating surface water. El Paso Water Utilities is building what will be the largest inland desalination plant in the US, which will produce 27.5 million gallons of fresh water per day from brackish groundwater, increasing El Paso's water supply by 25%. Desalination of brackish water and seawater is expected to play a major role in meeting Texas' future water needs as demand is projected to exceed supply by 2050.
The document discusses groundwater issues in India and the state of Andhra Pradesh. It notes that overexploitation of groundwater resources has led to declining water tables and drying of wells. It highlights the need for improved groundwater management through techniques like artificial recharge. It proposes establishing a groundwater prospecting training center to address the lack of professionals in scientifically locating groundwater sources. The center would provide training on electrical resistivity and VLF methods to help trainees pursue careers in groundwater consulting.
This document discusses how NREGA works can help rural communities adapt to climate change and mitigate its impacts. It notes that over 80% of NREGA works are related to water, land and forestry, which provide local environmental services and climate benefits. Works like water conservation, irrigation, afforestation, and land development can rejuvenate natural resources, sequester carbon, strengthen resilience, and boost agricultural yields. The document advocates using NREGA to promote climate-smart agriculture and expand irrigation potential in rainfed areas to drought-proof smallholder farms. Overall, it argues that by rehabilitating the environment, NREGA works can help rural livelihoods adapt to increasing climate stresses.
1. The Practice of Recycling Reclaimed Water to Farmers as Spray Irrigation
May 30, 2008—D.C. Kuhns @EDEN Delmarva.org
As the population of Sussex County grows, decisions of state and municipal policy
regarding the treatment and disposal of wastewater will have an economic, sociological
and environmental impact on citizens for the next 100 years. The challenge is as complex
as the issue of land-use planning. How do we expand capacity and whom do we serve?
The answer depends on who you’re asking. These services are inherently promised to all
people in State policy and in the recent amendment to the Sussex County Comprehensive
Development Plan. But the availability of water and wastewater affects everyone
differently. Choices and planning for the disposal of wastewater are designed to best
serve the rate payers. But these same choices will have profound impacts on the
sustainability of farming community in Sussex County for generations. At the most
basic level, the way people value water must change. There are economic,
environmental and sociological benefits to the practice of recycling reclaimed
treated water back to farmers as spray irrigation. Reliable reclaimed water can help
Delaware keep farming.
AGRICULTURE: One of the most Important Industries in Delaware
Farming is the backbone of the state economy. Delaware ranks No. 1 nationally among
all other states in the production value for an acre of land. What is grown in Delaware has
far-reaching influence on other industries, like agribusiness, fuel distribution and
consumption, transportation, food manufacturing, food services, and tourism. Unlike the
rest of the Mid-Atlantic, Delaware still has a large amount of land in agricultural
production. According to the Delaware Department of Agriculture, in 2007, 515,000
acres; nearly 41% of all state lands are still in farming. The field crops that are grown in
Delaware contribute 25% of the dollar value/year in the agricultural gross yield and
commodities (poultry, dairy products and livestock) contribute 75%. As of 2007, 2,300
farms are still in active production.
Even though farming is one of the most important and productive industries in the state,
farming is losing ground. Delaware farming was at its peak just after World War II, with
new advancements in technology, improved transportation corridors, and able-bodied
men back from overseas. Around the late 1940s roughly 800,000 acres were in farm
production. Since 1970, farming has been steadily losing ground, declining from 715,000
to 515,000 acres in production. Most of the losses have been the small family farms;
those with less than 100 acres. As the market value of farm products have not risen fast
enough against the cost of production, small farms are simply not sustainable. Farmers
and farm families from smaller farms have gotten part-time jobs or just gotten out of the
business. Most of the land taken out of agriculture has been converted to new housing.
During the biggest housing boom in its history, between 1994 and 2006, an average of
between 5,000 and 10,000 acres per year were converted into subdivisions and
commercial improvements.
2. Up until now, the losses in agricultural land have not been alarming because Delaware is
still a largely rural landscape and a good portion (51%) of the remaining farms large
enough in size to be self-sustaining. Even so, residents in Delaware for generations and
new immigrants that moved to the state because of its tranquility, natural resources, and
bucolic splendor want to have a voice in state and county planning. They want to make
sure that as the population grows, the need for new housing is balanced with the
preservation of farming and open space.
WATER AND WASTEWATER: Growth Requires a Plan for Monitoring Water Quality
In 1998, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
(DNREC) water quality monitoring verified that there were increasing levels of pollution
in the Inland Bays. Impervious surfaces from development, agricultural runoff, and
broken or leaking septic systems were affecting the quality of nearby wells. The runoff
and open pipe discharge of treated or partially treated water into surface waters was
impacting water quality and the fisheries in the Inland Bays. Responding to growing
concern over water quality in surface waters, the Farm Bureau and farmers voluntarily
worked to reduce nutrient loads by hiring nutrient consultants to adjust the level of
fertilizer on lands that followed an agronomic plan for specific crop rotations. The State
of Delaware instituted a draft pollution controls strategy in 1998. The draft pollution
controls strategy proposed to limit the total maximum daily loads (TMDL) of nutrients
for certain regions in Delaware, with regulations to manage the chemistry of nutrients
like nitrogen and phosphorus on the land and surface waters. These findings led to
TMDL requirements for lands, including those in Sussex County and along the Inland
Bays. The Pollution Control Strategy (PCS) was legislated into law in 2007. The PCS has
caused the public to be more aware of what practices may impact its drinking water and
recreational waters. More recently, the TMDL monitoring plan and the PCS have also
precipitated a closer examination of the impacts of population growth and agricultural
practices on the water quality in the Inland Bays.
Spray irrigation:
Spray irrigation is practiced on Delaware farms and elsewhere. In Delaware, about
300,000 acres of crops are irrigated, using diesel or electric-driven pumps to lift the water
from the water table into the above-ground, spray pivots. Last year, in 2007, over 30% of
farmers lost their crops because of drought conditions in Delaware. With spray irrigation,
using reclaimed water, these losses might not have been so high. Spray irrigation using
reclaimed water has been widely used in eight states; including Pennsylvania, South
Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, California, and Oregon. But spray
irrigation, using reclaimed water has not often been practiced in Delaware. According to
Ron Graeber, DNREC water resources program manager, found that reclamation and
recycling of water has been limited to a few municipal treatment plants and some food
manufacturing plants. There are only 27 DNREC-permitted treatment facilities, which
recover the reclaimed water for spray irrigation. According to Mr. Graeber, “…the public
perception of the past practices for the use of reclaimed water is largely negative -- which
has created a resistance among farmers that frankly need the water to sustain their crops.
3. At DNREC we know that recycling reclaimed water back to farmers is a smart practice. It
just makes good sense...” The fact is that certain permit holders did not follow protocol
outlined in the permits, causing problems for the tenant farmer. In some cases, the
industrial facility over-watered the land. In other cases sludge, which is now a
“designated waste” was placed on the same farmland under spray irrigation. Bad past
practices made tenant farming difficult, and these experiences have created “horror
stories” for the farming community about farming with reclaimed water. These horror
stories are larger than life, and today, still influence the public perception about using
reclaimed water on farmland.
The land based application of spray irrigation is the method preferred by municipalities
for recycling reclaimed water back to the ground. For example, New Castle County has a
large facility called Water Farm One. Middletown, Odessa, Townsend utilize the
Middletown wastewater treatment plant and spray fields. Georgetown puts its treated and
reclaimed water on the Baxter Farm, and Sussex County Department of Public Works has
four facilities, including Inland Bays, (___MGD capacity) Piney Neck, (___MGD) and
Wolfe Neck, (3.1 MGD) but you mentioned four facilities?. All of these treatment
facilities use land-based, spray irrigation application to recycle water back to the farmers
and recharge groundwater.
Large spray irrigation tracts
In 2005, Sussex County acquired 2,100 acres of land for the purpose of recycling
reclaimed water from the Inland Bays treatment plant. Currently the county sprays
reclaimed water on only 200 acres of this land. The property is farmed by tenant farmer
Roland Hill Jr. According to Mike Izzo, chief engineer for the Department of Public
Works (DPW) the remaining 1,900 acres of land at the Inland Bays tract has additional
disposal capacity for between 8 and 9 MGD is this the first time we encounter MDG, we
need to define it, or nearly another 30,000 users. Artesian Water Company, one of four
private wastewater utilities in the state, received county and DNREC approval for its (I
think the acreage is inflated, but I know nearly 4,000 units are proposed to rise 1,700 acre
Villages Elizabethtown Elizabeth Town tract in mid 2007. According to Randy Wyatt,
spokesperson for Artesian, the Elizabethtown Elizabeth Town facility will ultimately
serve 40,000 users. Tidewater Environmental Services Inc. Utilities, according to Bruce
Patrick, vice president of engineering, is planning new central facilities over the next 10
years that will serve growth regions in Sussex County, where the company sees strong
market demand for wastewater services in the coming years. Currently, Tidewater has
focused on 4 of these new planning regions, near Rehoboth Beach, Milton, Ellendale and
DelMar, where significant growth in new housing starts will require community systems
for about 20 new subdivisions. Tidewater is planning several central treatment systems
that will each serve several communities. Each of these treatment facilities will be
centrally located near farms that can take the reclaimed water as irrigation flow.
Tidewater recently (April 15, 2008) filed for the conditional-use application for its
Angola Neck facility to serve several new subdivisions just outside of Rehoboth. Each of
the new central plants that Tidewater and Artesian plan to build over the next 10 years
will need an average of between 500 and 1,000 acres to serve the approved subdivision
customers in the region.
4. PRIVATE AND MUNICIPAL UTILITIES -Central Plants Need Acres for Reclaiming
Treated Water:
The Private Utilities have adopted the new business strategy that will gradually change
treatment facilities from community systems—serving single subdivision, to larger
central plants—serving multiple communities. Over the next 10 years each private utility
intends to build multiple central wastewater plants. Tidewater intends to build 12 central
plants. Artesian reports a similar number on its drawing board. All of these future plants
will need to have 500-1,000 acres of nearby lands on which to be able to place reclaimed
water. The challenge has been to acquire enough lands to take the reclaimed water. In the
last 5 years, municipalities like Millsboro, Georgetown, and Rehoboth have all tried to
purchase land for wastewater disposal and failed; because land was too expensive. While
many legacy farmers in Delaware are land rich and cash poor, they would rather not give
up the land that their families have farmed for generations. One of the private utilities,
Tidewater, has designed a special economic package for legacy farm families; farm
families that have been farming three generations or more. The utility offers to lease the
farming acres, while still allowing farmers to farm the land or preserve the land, or do
any hunting or recreation activity on the land that is compatible with the lease.
Reclaimed Water: economic benefits to farmers
According to its new business strategy, Tidewater, as a provider of central plants would
become much more like a monopolized utility—able to offer better service, more
reliably, for less cost. Tidewater’s new business model for central planning relies on four
components: i) the customer—new subdivisions, ii) the franchise right to serve the
customer, (CPCN) iii) the treatment plant for cleaning and reclaiming water, and iv)
leased land for placing or recycling the reclaimed water back into the ground. Tidewater
has proposed that the farmer not give up his land but put his land to work, under an
irrigation lease. If the farmer would agree to take the reclaimed water as irrigation flow,
then Tidewater would deliver the water to his field and pay him to take it. The land lease
proposition has five benefits to the farmer:
1. Additional cash revenues for the farm through lease payments
2. Reducing fuel costs to pump the water to the fields
3. Reducing fertilizer costs through fertigation—providing nutrients in the
reclaimed water
4. Increasing yield through the continuous flow of reliable reclaimed water
5. Rendering the fields drought-resistant through reliable flow
The utility would receive the benefits of having a large tract of land for its central facility,
where it could apply a land-based application (LBA) for wastewater disposal for the term
of the lease.
The first farm to accept the Tidewater proposal was Wandendale Farms, Inc., a 365-acre
farm that had been operated by the Marsh Family for seven generations. Russell Marsh,
one of the members of the partnership has stated “…the Tidewater lease will mean that
5. we can now have some things that we could only dream about before….like financial
stability, a college education for the children, monies placed in trust that ultimately they
could use to build their own houses when they have families…”
Economic and environmental benefits for government:
The private utilities’ business strategy also offers indirect economic and environmental
benefits to government. In each case, the central plants will be infrastructure that is
funded with private investment, not paid for from State funds or grants, and not paid for
with taxpayer dollars. In the current downward economic cycle this program could be a
savings for the State or Sussex County. Funds not spent on wastewater infrastructure
could then be set aside for other critical infrastructure projects. The private utilities’
central plants can be built more quickly to serve customers that might not be served by
municipal service providers for many years. For each central plant to be built, the utility
would need 500-1000 acres of farmland on which they can recycle the reclaimed water as
spray irrigation.
The reliable continuous irrigation water will create sustainable farming and help recharge
the groundwater. In the reclaimed water that the utility delivers to the farmer’s field there
are imbedded nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus that will provide some of the
fertilizer for the specific feedstock crops. This fertigation will benefit the Inland Bays
because the imbedded nutrients will reduce the application of fertilizer for crop nutrients.
Fertigation will reduce the probability of agricultural run-off. The utility’s spray
irrigation leases with farmers will benefit nature by creating permanent open space as
long as the farmlands are an integral part of the treating, reclaiming and recycling of
water.
RECYCLING RECLAIMED WATER: A Possible Alternative for Rehoboth’s
Wastewater Planning:
The City of Rehoboth Beach has announced plans to withdraw its discharge pipe from the
Lewes-Rehoboth Canal, where the effluent flows to the Inland Bays and re-direct the
effluence through an ocean outfall system, 6000 feet out into the Atlantic Ocean, just
south of Cape Henlopen State Park by the year 2014. The Board of Commissioners for
Rehoboth Beach has elected (has not elected, was forced to by federal regulations or they
would be fined) to write a Request for Proposal document that would outline
specifications and terms under which a contractor, for either ocean outfall or land based
alternative, could submit a construction proposal and pricing to the town for a wastewater
project alternative.
Cost is the most critical concern:
The cost will be about $1,000 annually to each town rate payer, after the new system is in
place. Whether the land-based alternative is more or less costly, will depend on several
variables, including which land site is used, the type of financing, and whether the City of
Rehoboth or the private utility pays for the pipe and treatment site.
6. Wastewater’s effect on coastal chemistry
Anyone who explores the environmental issues of ocean outfall versus land based spray
irrigation quickly becomes mired in the arguments about whether one or both are harmful
to the environment. In fact there are dozens of ocean outfall systems along the Atlantic
Ocean, with two here on Delmarva; in Bethany Beach and Ocean City. Most people
swimming in the resort beaches don’t know that these big pipes have been in the water,
releasing effluent since before 1975. Three facts, however, are true when examining
Delaware Ocean Outfall: i) credible, well-respected scientists like Dr. William Ullman
of the University of Delaware can effectively argue that because of the “dilution” from
billions of gallons coming south from the Delaware River that there is “no harm” from
ocean outfall; ii) there is no record of any scientist measuring the effects of these two
Delmarva ocean outfall systems on water quality and aquatic life, and iii) certain coastal
states, like California and Oregon, as well as the country of Australia are exploring the
possibility of eliminating ocean outfalls in the future.
The land-based disposal methods also have critics. DNREC was one of the protagonists
in the battle to get Rehoboth to stop discharging its treated water into the Rehoboth-
Lewes Canal. DNREC is also the champion of the “TMDL” regulations. The agency
fears that Rehoboth’s treated and reclaimed water that is transported out to the Angola
Neck region may still deposit too much nitrogen and phosphorus on the ground which
can ultimately find its way into surface water that runs in to the Inland Bays. But now,
thanks to the work by DNREC and others, these concerns can be addressed with
scientific modeling before any spray irrigations facilities are constructed at Angola Neck.
Both plans are for wastewater disposal are viable and have economic, environmental and
sociological impacts on the future of Sussex County land use.
WATER USE: How Do We Value and Use Water Resources?
How do we preserve water resources in the future?
The public debate on ocean outfall versus land-based alternatives for treated water has
caused many citizens in Sussex County to think a little bit more about water use? What
are the daily demands on the resource? Who is competing for the use of water? Where
does it go after it is used? How much is left in the aquifer—and how long will it last us?
These questions go to the very heart of the challenge facing the City of Rehoboth and The
Sussex County Department of Public Works. Arising from all of these issues is one
central question, “…Should we continue to treat water like a paper towel—using it once
and throwing it away...?” The municipal wastewater policy in Delaware for nearly 100
years has been to treat water and dump the effluent into surface waters, where the
discharge eventually reaches the bays or the ocean. It is true that rivers and streams flow
out to sea but the water from confined aquifers do not. It is from these aquifers that we
pump our drinking water and irrigation water. Aquifers are finite resources and not
renewable unless we recharge them. One form of recharge to aquifers is through
reclaimed water used as spray irrigation.
7. Examining the need for ocean outfall
The County Department of Public Works chief engineer, Mr. Michael Izzo, has stated in
the public hearing on November 6, 2007, that the County has 2100 acres of land for land
based disposal of wastewater at the Inland Bays Plant. Only 200 acres of that land is
currently used. Mr. Izzo has also stated that the remaining lands will probably be
sufficient to serve the County’s disposal needs through 2020 or beyond, if the population
growth rate does not exceed the demand for new services at 1000 new equivalent
dwelling unit (EDU’s) per year. (An EDU is roughly equivalent to two users). Artesian
Water Company projects that it has capacity at its Elizabeth Town tract for reclaiming
and recycling treated water from 40,000 users. Tidewater Utilities has 12 more central
plants in its 10 year planning horizon that would serve another 30,000 users. Altogether
these three land based application resources have a cumulative capacity to serve 94,000
new customers. This figure does not include the additional capacity at the DPW South
Coastal Ocean Outfall project, which according to Mr. Izzo, has an additional capacity of
12 million gallons/day (equivalent to 60,000 customers). According to the demographic
section of the Sussex County Comprehensive Development Plan the population will not
grow as rapidly over the next ten years but is projected to expand from current levels of
175,000 people to reach a level of 250,000 people sometime within the 2050 decade.
While the above numbers are only estimates, one can see that if the current land based
disposal tracts are adequate to serve 94,000 more customers; for a period of the next 42
years. Why then with this much capacity would the Sussex County DPW need to
build a new ocean outfall system? The County and municipalities do not need an
ocean outfall system since the LBA systems, existing and under development, could
last another half century. It is also a fact that extended use of an Ocean Outfall
system would waste a precious water resource that is valuable to farmers.
CHOICES FOR WASTEWATER DISPOSAL: Economic, Environmental and
Sociological Issues
In the event that elected officials from Rehoboth and Sussex County can agree that ocean
outfall is the prudent course of action, and the parties can find the funding to cover the
capital investment of $140 million, then what are the economic, environmental and
sociological impacts of such a project for the rate payers and for the farmers?
Economics for town and county users:
Rehoboth Capital Cost: $25 million
Rehoboth User Fee: $451 for ocean outfall plus $497 for existing service=$948/year
Sussex County Capital Cost: $115 million
Sussex County User Fee: $325 for ocean outfall plus $600 for operations cost=$925/year
Environmental Issues:
The Rehoboth maximum capacity for its current treatment plant is 3.5 MGD, increasing
to 4.0 MGD by 2020. The Wolfe Neck treatment facility is 3.1 MGD expanding to 3.8
8. MGD by 2025. The County’s South Coastal System currently sends 9.0 MGD into the
ocean south of Bethany Beach. It has a remaining unused capacity of 12 MGD. Currently
the flow to the ocean is 5.7 billion gallons per year of fresh water removed from the
Inland Bays watershed and discharged out to sea, never to be recovered again. The
number will be double that by 2025. While there are experts on both sides of the debate
who argue whether we have a plentiful water resource in the Inland Bays, both sides do
agree that discharging 13 MGD of fresh water through the ocean outfall system will
eventually impact the groundwater resource—reducing the capacity of the water table
from which we draw drinking water and irrigation water. In Delaware the USGS has
observed that the aquifer in Northern Delaware, from which a large segment of the
population draws drinking water, has dropped 200 feet in 20 years. As ocean outfall
pumps fresh water out to sea, the water table in Sussex County will inevitably drop over
time—making it more expensive for towns and farms to draw water. Water rates will go
up for rate-payers and farmers’ energy costs for pumping the water will increase.
Sociological Issues:
The private utilities’ new business strategy will focus on large central wastewater plants
for the next 10 years while they continue to build smaller community systems where
space and economics dictate such design. Central plants will benefit farmers who can use
the reclaimed treated water as spray irrigation. Community systems, however, are seen by
farmers as a critical issue affecting the value of their developable land. While legacy
farming families want to continue to farm, they object when legislation regarding land
use policy that takes away any choices for the future. For example, in 2006, House Bill
280, which never got out of committee, would have outlawed community systems in
areas not designated for development according the Livable Delaware Plan. In Sussex
County, according to zoning regulations, agricultural-residential, (AR-1) zone gives the
100-acre landowner, by law, the right to subdivide his land at the rate of 2 units per acre
(200 housing units). If the land is worth $20,000/acre that means a developer can buy the
land for $10,000/unit of housing. Without community wastewater systems, the land might
only be able to support one septic system/acre—devaluing the farmer’s land 50%, from
$2.0 million (10,000/unit X 200 units) to $1.0 million, ($10,000/unit X 100 units). So
outlawing community wastewater systems, in areas where they were legal before,
damages farmers’ property rights.
Wastewater planning and regulation affect Farmers the most:
The farmers are the ones who will be most effected by new wastewater planning and
regulation. The land that they farm today represents the future for their families. Most
don’t want to sell but if they do, they want to have the benefit of selling land that is zoned
for development. Government regulations that limit development hurt the asset value of
farmland. Ideally, farm families that are land rich, and cash poor need to put their lands
to work today, to preserve their assets. Sometimes with small farms of 100 acres or less,
farming revenue does not provide enough cash flow to sustain the farm. It is these legacy
farm families that will suffer the worst from ocean outfall, and benefit the greatest
from spray irrigation.
9. A County-wide Ocean Outfall system will flush 13 MGD of fresh water out into the
ocean by 2020. With no groundwater recharge this ocean outfall system will cause the
water table to drop over time. The first farmers to suffer from groundwater depletion will
be the small farmers with less than 100 acres. This is because they have too few acres
over which to spread operations cost. Fuel costs have increased by 100% since 2006,
fertilizer costs have increased by 200% in two years. The drought has decreased yield, so
overall, farming is less profitable than just a few years ago. As costs rise, including
energy and fertilizer costs, many of the small family farms will get out of business and
sell the family farm.
SPRAY IRRIGATION OFFERS A BETTER ECONOMIC PROPOSITION TO FARM
FAMILIES
Spray irrigation from reclaimed water gives farmers an added source of income.
Should the DPW and Rehoboth decide not to build an ocean outfall system, then the
private utilities will be looking for land leases through which they can recycle reclaimed
water from Rehoboth and subdivisions. The 13 MGD of North Do you mean North
Shore, Henlopen Acres? Coast and Rehoboth wastewater will still need to be treated. But
with no ocean outfall this water will have to be reclaimed and recycled back to farmland
growing feedstock crops. The spray irrigation alternative will require contracts with
multiple farms for the farmers to take the reclaimed irrigation water.
Lease income for farmers
Below is an illustration of the economic benefits to the Farmer on a 100- acre farm…
Annual Base Fee and Calculated Lease Fee
a. Base fee for RIBs and/or lagoons = $1,000 per acre
b. Base fee for Spray area = $150 per acre
c. Calculated lease fee = $0.00056 per gallon
Base Fees for land RIBs, DRIP and SPRAY
a. Roads = 4 acres x $1,000 per acre = $4,000
b. Spray fee to spray on 80 acres for spray = $12,000
c. Lagoons 6 acres x 1,000 = $6,000
d. DRIP or RIBS on 10 acres = $10,000
$32,000
e. Calc. Fees for 1,200 homes = $0.00056 x
200 gpd x 365 days x 1,200 homes = $49,056
TOTAL Annual Revenues for this scenario= $81,056—$810/acre
Farm income for farmers
Below is an illustration of economic benefits to the Farmer from feedstock crops on the same 100 acre
farm…
Revenues
Corn at $6.00/bushel X 160 bushels/acre-irrigated= $105,000
10. Costs
Diesel Fuel at $100/acre (10”/acre) of production= $ 10,000
Fertilizer & chemicals at $240/acre of production= $ 24,000
Misc. Costs at $440/acre of production= $ 44,000
LABOR at $24/acre of production= $ 2,400
TOTAL Net Revenues for AG production $24,600—$246/acre
As one can see from the theoretical revenues generated on a 100 acre farm, the revenue benefit to the
Farmer is substantial for the spray irrigation lease—greater than the revenues for farming the land.
The revenues do not take into account the reduced farming operations costs, when the utility delivers the
reclaimed water, and the fertilizing nutrients in it, directly to the farmer’s field.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY: Choices for Wastewater Disposal will affect the future of
Farming in Sussex County
Choices by the City of Rehoboth and the County Department of Public Works will affect
farming and open space in Sussex County for generations. In six months Sussex County
and Rehoboth Beach both face some tough decisions on wastewater planning for the
future. These decisions will affect the citizens who pay for services; will affect the
environment, and will affect environmental policy with regard to the practices for either
disposing, or using and recycling treated water in the future. Most importantly these
decisions will affect the future of farming in Delaware.
Should the municipalities choose to build an ocean outfall, billions of gallons of fresh
water from Sussex County aquifers will be sent out to sea, never to be reclaimed. If the
municipalities choose to reclaim treated wastewater and recycle it back to farmers, then
programs like the private utilities’ irrigation leases will be beneficial to farmers with
large parcels, adjacent to planning areas for central treatment plants. With the cash and
reduced cost benefits from these irrigation leases, farming will become sustainable
around central treatment plants. Lands that are necessary for the reclamation of treated
water will be preserved as open space in perpetuity. The Rehoboth/Sussex County
decision is not just a decision about one town’s future wastewater capacity. It is a
decision about the future policy for wastewater disposal in all of Sussex County for
future generations.
Making the right choice for Delaware farming
Farming is one of the most important industries in the State of Delaware. It is the gross
domestic product that we can all count on, even when the economy is in recession. Why
then would legislators at the State and county level make policy decisions that could
damage the future of farming in Delaware? Sussex County and the City of Rehoboth are
about to make a critical decision that will affect environmental policy for wastewater
disposal. This decision will also affect farming. A decision to construct an ocean outfall
system at Rehoboth Beach affects the future of the town, with possible impacts on the
quality of its ocean beaches and impacts on its tourism dollars that drives the town
economy. The same decision will affect the groundwater in the Inland Bays Watershed,
either depleting this resource or recharging it. The decision on the choice of Rehoboth’s
11. wastewater disposal will affect farming on lands nearby that are dependent upon the same
aquifer for drinking water and irrigation water.
Farmers are already at risk. It is the life that they have chosen. They are accustomed to
the risk and can adapt to change. But why put farming at a greater disadvantage because
of a decision made by a few elected officials who cannot see the future impact from a
simple choice. Ocean outfall will eventually deplete the groundwater table, hurting the
environment and the profitability of farming over time. On the other hand, the simple
choice of choosing a land-based alternative—spray irrigation that takes reclaimed treated
water and recycles it back to farmers is the BETTER CHOICE. The decision must be
based on economics—yes but not just the economics for the rate-payer. The choice must
examine the economics for the farmer. Land based spray irrigation—as demonstrated
above, has positive benefits for the farmer with an irrigation lease near central treatment
plants. The economics for reclamation of treated water also has far-reaching benefits in
the Delaware economy. In a recent interview, Mr. Kenneth Bounds, vice president for
Mid Atlantic Farm Credit analyzed the theoretical 100 acre lease for spray
irrigation. He verified that two things were true: i) that the farmer taking reclaimed
water was making $810/acre based upon the terms of the lease, and that the farmer’s
yield from corn grown on the parcel would increase about 100% as a result of the reliable
reclaimed water.
Mr. Bounds went on further to say that the increased yield also had a 7-times multiplier
impact on the Delaware agriculture sector. Increase yield would increase permanent
farming jobs in the area. Increase yield in feedstock crops would also promote increases
in poultry, transportation, agribusiness, food services and tourism. As a financial analyst
and a banker, Mr. Bounds analyzes such statistics every day. After Mr. Bounds examined
the terms of the irrigation lease and consulted the appropriate statistics, Mr. Bounds has
simply stated, “…Based upon my analysis, the choice of a land based application for
recycling reclaimed water to farmers is THE ONLY RATIONAL CHOICE. It is the right
choice for enhancing the profitability and sustainability of Delaware agriculture…”
Spray Irrigation can play a role in Delaware’s Agricultural Future
• Recharges groundwater
• Prevents saltwater intrusion
• Keeps water in the watershed
• Sustains farming with lower costs and higher yields
• Protects and expands open space
• 7-times multiplier for Delaware Agriculture
• CREATES PERMANENT JOBS
Reclaiming and Recycling Water Benefits the Farmer
• Provides irrigation water directly to the field
• Decreases fuel costs for pumping
• Provides nutrients for crop uptake
• Provides cash from irrigation leases
12. • Reliable continuous supply increases yield
Whether we like it or not change is here. At the most basic level, the way people value
water must change. There are economic, environmental and sociological benefits to the
practice of recycling reclaimed treated water back to Farmers as spray irrigation. Reliable
reclaimed water can help Delaware keep farming.