AGSM 105 - Exam 2 Review

Water Quality

A term used to describe the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water, usually in respect to its suitability for a particular purpose.

Domestic Water Use

Water used for household purposes, such as drinking, food preparation, bathing, washing clothes, dishes, and dogs, flushing toilets, and watering lawns and gardens.

Commercial Water Use

Water used for motels, hotels, restaurants, office buildings, other commercial facilities, and institutions. Water for commercial uses comes both from public-supplied sources, such as a county water department, and self-supplied sources, such as local wells.

Livestock Water Use

Water used for livestock watering, feed lots, dairy operations, fish farming, and other on-farm needs.

Watershed/Drainage Basin

The land area that drains water to a particular stream, river, or lake.

Land feature that can be identified by tracing a line along the highest elevations between two areas on a map, often a ridge.

Large watersheds, like the Mississippi River basin contain thousands of smaller watersheds.

Public Water Supply

Water withdrawn by public governments and agencies, such as a county water department, and by private companies that is then delivered to users.

Public suppliers provide water for domestic, commercial, thermoelectric power, industrial, and public water users.

Most people's household water is delivered by a public water supplier.

The systems have at least 15 service connections (such as households, businesses, or schools) or regularly serve at least 25 individuals daily for at least 60 days out of the year.

Gallons per Minute (GPM)

Rate of flow

Cubic Feet per Second (CFS)

Rate of the flow.

It is equal to the volume of water one foot high and one foot wide flowing a distance of one foot in one second.

1 CFS - 7.48 gallons of water flowing each second.

Conveyance Loss

Water that is lost in transit from a pipe, canal, or ditch by leakage or evaporation.

Generally, the water is not available for further use; however, leakage from an irrigation ditch, for example, may percolate to a groundwater source and be available for further use.

Consumptive Use

Percentage of water withdrawn that is evaporated, transpired by plants, incorporated into products or crops, consumed by humans or livestock, or otherwise removed from the immediate water environment.

Also referred to as water consumed.

Drawdown

A lowering of the groundwater surface caused by pumping.

Artificial Recharge

Process where water is put back into groundwater storage from surface-water supplies such as irrigation, or induced infiltration from streams or wells.

Injection Well

Well constructed for the purpose of injecting treated wastewater directly into the ground.

Wastewater is generally forced (pumped) into the well for dispersal or storage into a designated aquifer.

Injection wells are generally drilled into aquifers that don't deliver drinking water, unused aquifers, or below freshwater levels.

Drip Irrigation

Method where pipes or tubes filled with water slowly drip onto crops.

Low pressure method of irrigation.

Less water is lost to evaporation than high-pressure spray irrigation.

Effluent

Water that flows from a sewage treatment plant after it has been treated.

Erosion

The process in which a material (soil) is worn away by a stream of liquid (water) or air, often due to the presence of abrasive particles in the stream.

Soil Erosion

Nutrients or chemical attached to the eroding soil particles are relocated.

Sometimes this results in negative unintended consequences like polluted water.

Estuary

A place where fresh and saltwater mix, such as a bay, salt marsh, or where a river enters an ocean.

Evaporation

The process of liquid water becoming water vapor, including vaporization from water surfaces, land surfaces, and snow fields, but not from leaf surfaces.

Transpiration

Process by which water that is absorbed by plants, usually through the roots, is evaporated into the atmosphere from the plant surface, such as leaf pores.

Evapotranspiration

The sum of evaporation and transpiration.

Tributary

A smaller river or stream that flows into a larger river or stream.

Usually, a number of smaller tributaries merge to form a river.

Turbidity

The amount of solid particles that are suspended in water and that cause light rays shining through the water to scatter.

Turbidity makes the water cloudy or even opaque in extreme cases.

Turbidity is measured in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU).

Measured by shining light through water sample.

Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU)

The unit of measure for the turbidity of water.

A measure of the cloudiness of water as measured by a nephelometer.

Turbidity is based on the amount of light that is reflected off particles in the water.

Flood Plain

A strip of relatively flat and normally dry land alongside a stream, river, or lake that is covered by water during a flood.

Flood Stage

The elevation at which overflow of the natural banks of a stream or body of water begins in the reach or area in which the elevation is measured.

Giardiasis

A disease that results from an infection by the protozoan parasite Giardia Intestinalis, caused by drinking water that is either not filtered or not chlorinated.

The disorder is more prevalent in children than in adults.

Characterized by abdominal discomfort, nausea, and alternating constipation and diarrhea.

Cryptosporidium

Microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis.

Both the parasite and the disease are commonly known as "Crypto".

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)

Designation given by the U.S. EPA to water-quality standards promulgated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The MCL is the greatest amount of a contaminant that can be present in drinking water without causing a risk to human health.

Milligrams per Liter (mg/L)

A unit of the concentration of a constituent in water or wastewater.

It represents 0.001 gram of a constituent in 1 liter of water.

Approximately equal to one PPM.

Greywater

Wastewater from clothes washing machines, showers, bathtubs, handwashing, lavatories, and sinks.

Groundwater

Water that flows or seeps downward and saturates soil or rock, supplying springs and wells. The upper surface of the saturate zone is called the water table.

Water stored underground in rock crevices and in the pores of geologic materials that make up the Earth's crust.

Groundwater, Confined

Groundwater under pressure significantly greater than atmospheric, with its upper limit in the bottom of a bed with hydraulic conductivity distinctly lower than that of the material in which the confined water occurs.

Groundwater recharge

Inflow of water to a groundwater reservoir from the surface.

Infiltration of precipitation and its movement to the water table is one form of natural recharge.

Also, the volume of water added by this process.

Groundwater, unconfined

Water in an aquifer that has a water table that is exposed to the atmosphere.

Hardness

A water-quality indication of the concentration of alkaline salts in water, mainly calcium and magnesium.

If the water you use id "hard" the more soap, detergent or shampoo is necessary to raise a lather.

Headwaters

The source and upper reaches of a stream; also the upper reaches of a reservoir.

The water upstream from a structure of point on a stream,

The small streams that come together to form a river.

Also may be through of as any and all parts of a river basin except the mainstream river and main tributaries.

Hydroelectric Power Water Usage

The use of water in the generation of electricity at plants where the turbine generators are driven by falling water.

Hydrologic Cycle

The cyclic transfer of water vapor from the Earth's surface via evapotranspiration into the atmosphere, from the atmosphere via precipitation back to earth, and through runoff into streams, rivers, and lakes, and ultimately into the oceans.

Impermeable Layer

A layer of solid material, such as rock or clay, which does not allow water to pass through.

Industrial Water Use

Water used for industrial purposes in such industries as steel, chemical, paper, and petroleum refining.

Nationally, water for industrial uses comes mainly from (80%) from self-supplied sources, such as a local well or withdrawal points in a river, but some water comes from public-supplied sources, such as the county/city water department.

Infiltration

Flow of water from the land surface into the subsurface.

Irrigation

The controlled application of water for agricultural purposes through man-made systems to supply water requirements not satisfied by rainfall.

Irrigation Water Use

Water application on lands to assist in the growing of crops and pastures or to maintain vegetative growth in recreational lands, such as parks and golf courses.

Leaching

The process by which soluble materials in the soil, such as salts, nutrients, pesticide chemicals, or contaminants, are washed into a lower layer of soil or are dissolved and carried away by water.

Levee

A natural or man made earthen barrier along the edge of a stream, lake, or river.

Land alongside rivers can be protected from flooding by levees.

Marsh

A primarily grassy area where water covers the ground most of the time.

A marsh may be prone to flooding during wet seasons.

Million Gallons per Day (Mgal/d)

A rate of flow of water.

A flow of one million gallons per day for one years equals 1,120 acre feet (365 million gallons).

Mining Water Use

Water use during quarrying rocks and extracting minerals from the land.

Municipal Water System

A water system, also called a public water system, that has at least five service connections or which regularly serves 25 individuals for 60 days.

Non-Point Source (NPS) Pollution

Pollution discharged over a wide land area.

These are forms of diffuse pollution caused by sediment, nutrients, organic, and toxic substances originating from land-use activities, which are carried to lakes and streams by surface runoff.

Non-point source pollution is contamination that occurs when rainwater, snowmelt, or irrigation washes off plowed fields, city streets, or suburban backyards.

As this runoff moves across the land surface, it picks up soil particles and pollutants, such as nutrients and pesticides.

Point-Source Pollution

Water pollution coming from a single point, such as a sewage-outflow pipe.

Organic Matter

Plant and animal residues, or substances made by living organisms.

All are based upon carbon compounds.

Outfall

The place where a sewer, drain or stream discharges.

The outlet or structure through which reclaimed water or treated effluent is finally discharged to a receiving water body.

Oxygen Demand

The need for molecular oxygen to meet the needs of biological and chemical processes in water.

Even through very little oxygen will dissolve in water, it is extremely important in biological and chemical processes.

San Antonio Water Supply and Water Wells/Towers Presentation

San Antonio Water System

Diversified water portfolio to ensure a sustainable, reliable supply for our community - even during times of severe drought.

In 1995, 100 percent of San Antonio's water came from the Edwards Aquifer.

SAWS manages 15 supply projects, originating from 9 different sources, assuring a secure water future for our growing community.

San Antonio uses the Edwards Aquifer and the Trinity Aquifer.

Benefits of Water Supply Diversification

Reduces the adverse effects of drought on San Antonio and our region.

Decreases reliance on the Edwards Aquifer to 60 percent of total supply.

Improves spring flows and habitat for threatened and endangered species.

Increases resilience in managing any climate-related impacts to one or more water sources.

Provides SAWS customers water security today and for generations to come.

Wilcox Aquifer

Access to these permitted groundwater withdrawal rights is subject to varying levels of availability depending on critical period reductions due to variable weather conditions.

These cutbacks in any given year may range from zero percent to 44 percent.

In addition to the regulatory cutbacks, SAWS has agreed to reduce pumping by up to 46,300 acre-feet during any single year during a worst-case drought scenario for the benefit of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan.

For that reason, SAWS added several non-Edwards Aquifer water sources to ensure our city's water future.

Every 10 gallons of brackish water is converted to nine gallons of drinking water. The salts and minerals that are removed are then injected deep into the ground into an area where existing salt and concentrations are much higher.

Private Ground Water Wells

Many people in the United States receive their water from private groundwater wells.

EPA regulations that protect public drinking water systems do not apply to privately owned wells.

As a result, owners of private wells are responsible for ensuring that their water is safe from contaminants.

Component - Casing

Casing is the tubular structure that is placed in the drilled well to maintain the well opening. Along with grout, the casing also confines the groundwater to its zone underground and prevents contaminants from mixing with the water.

The most common materials for well casing are carbon steel, plastic, and stainless steel. Different geologic formations dictate what type of casing can be used.

Residents in some areas have a choice between steel and PVC, both of which have advantages. PVC is lightweight, resistant to corrosion, and relatively easy for contractors to install. However, it is not as strong and not as resistant to heat as steel. Steel, though, is susceptible to corrosion, can have scale build-up, and can cost more than PVC.

The material toward the bottom of the casing is perforated and allows water to flood the casing. The higher the water rises, the easier it is to pump water out.

Submersible Turbine Pump

Submersible pumps can be used at shallow depths or in deeper wells.

They push water up through a pipe installed in the well instead of pulling it with suction.

Sits farthest down in well casing

Electric motor drives pump

Sized by Horsepower

Provides Pressure (psi)

Provide Flow (gpm)

Potential Contaminants

Microbial contamination (fecal contamination from feedlots)

High concentrations of naturally-occurring contaminants, such as arsenic and radon (depends highly on the geology of the land surrounding the well)

Local land use practices (fertilizers and pesticides)

Problems with the integrity of nearby on-site septic systems

Artesian Well

A well in which water rises because of pressure within the aquifer

Water Towers

A water tower is simply a large, elevated tank of water.

Provide pressure.

Provide water volume in the form of storage.

Desalination in Perth Presentation

Reverse Osmosis

The movement of fresh water through a semipermeable membrane when pressure is applied to a solution (such as seawater) on one side of it.

Water, containing dissolved salt molecules, is forced through a semi-permeable membrane (essentially a filter), in which the larger salt molecules do not get through the membrane holes but the smaller water molecules do.

Saline Water

Water that is saline contains significant amounts of dissolved salts, referred to as a "concentration".

The concentration is the amount (by weight) of salt in water, as expressed in "parts per million" (PPM)

Parameters for Saline Water

Freshwater - Less than 1,000 ppm

Slightly saline water - From 1,000 ppm to 3,000 ppm

Moderately saline water - From 3,000 ppm to 10,000 ppm

Highly saline water - From 10,000 ppm to 35,000 ppm

Ocean water contains about 35,000 ppm of salt.

Dead Sea

Has a salinity of 280,000 (ppm)

Is about eight times saltier than average seawater (35,000 ppm)

Is located between Jordan and Israel

Distilled Water

Distilled water is water that has been boiled to become steam and then cooled to become water again.

It's free of minerals and salts.

Distilled water is used in car batteries and in steam irons.

Distilled water prevents the iron or coffee pot from getting clogged up inside from minerals.

It also has various medical and industrial uses. Some people like to use distilled water to make clear ice cubes.

Removes minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and sodium.

Energy Use at Perth

Goal is to sustainably manage energy needs through improving energy efficiency and focusing on renewable sources.

The delivery of water and wastewater services throughout Western Australia requires a large amount of energy for pumping and treatment processes.

Electricity needs of our Southern Seawater Desalination Plant are offset by the purchase all outputs from the Mumbida Wind Farm and Stage 1 of Greenough River Solar Farm.

Brine

Extracted salts, minerals, and a percentage of source water mix to form a hyper saline slurry commonly referred to as brine.

Brine has a much higher salt concentration compared to salt water, which creates disposal challenges.

Brine waste is commonly disposed of in the ocean. To reduce environmental impacts during disposal, brine can be mixed with other water sources to reduce salinity and/or discharged through diffusers.

Diffusers stimulate brine mixing with ocean water and are used to disperse brine at several different discharge points from desalination facilities.

Environmental Impacts

Most forms of desalination are energy-intensive.

Desalination has the potential to increase fossil fuel dependence.

Desalination surface water intakes are a threat to marine life.

Mature fish, larvae, and other marine life can be injured or killed when they become trapped or sucked into open water surface intake pipes.

The State Water Resources Control Board estimates that open ocean intakes used by coastal power plants in California kill 70 billion fish larvae and other marine life on an annual basis.

These same open ocean intakes are being proposed for use at desalination plants throughout California.

Overall Limitations

Desalination's energy-intensive process is expensive and environmentally harmful, making it a costly strategy to bolster regional water supplies.

The average price of Ocean-Water Desalination is often 2-4 times more expensive than other water sources.

Ocean desalination is not efficient, requires roughly two gallons of ocean water for every one gallon of freshwater produced.

Achla Jha Speaker Presentation

Water Scarcity is driven by what?

Population and Demand.

What is the major land use of the Cauvery Basin?

Agriculture

The conflicts over the Cauvery River Basin were caused by what?

Disagreements between water sharing within political boundaries.

Crops and their water requirements

Rice: 150-250 cms

Jowar: 25-30 cms

Maize: 50-80 cms

Sugarcane: 60-70 cms

What management body was in charge of the implementation of the final tribunal award?

The Cauvery Management Authority

How long will the final verdict from 2018 last for the Cauvery Dispute, before it's revisited?

15 years

Final Allocations

Karnataka: 284.75 TMC

Tamil Nadu: 404.25 TMC

Kerala: 30 TMC

UT of Pondicherry: 7 TMC

What type of water is used for agricultural use?

Green Water

Ryan Gerlich Presentation

What does OWTS stand for?

Onsite Wastewater Treatment System

The overall goal of waste disposal is what?

To limit human contact with waste

Waste collection options

Holding Tanks, Incinerating Toilets, and Composting Tanks

Septic tanks cannot be made out of what?

Metal

The main component of an aerobic treatment unit that makes it unique is what?

The air supply

The type of wastewater that has been treated but is not safe for drinking

Effluent

How often should a septic tank be pumped out?

3-5 Years

What is the main type of pollution the coastal zone faces?

Nonpoint source pollution

What can cause a failure in treatment systems?

Age & Deterioration, Owner abuse/neglect, small lots, and unsuitable soils.

Responsible management of on-site sewage facility is a what?

Must/necessity

Flint Michigan Presentation

Sources of Lead in Drinking Water

Lead Service Line, copper pipe with lead solder, faucets/fixtures, surface of galvanized pipe, and lead goose necks.

Flint River Facts

78.3 miles log.

Basin or watershed is 1,332 square miles

Trinity River Facts

710 miles long

Basin or watershed is 15,591 square miles

The Making of the Flint Michigan Water Crisis

The Flint water crisis was a public health crisis that started in 2014 and lasted until 2019 after the drinking water for the city of Flint, Michigan was contaminated with lead and possibly Legionella bacteria.

Flint changed its water source from treated Detroit Water and Sewerage Department water (sourced from Lake Huron and the Detroit River) to the Flint River.

Residents complained about the taste, smell, and appearance of the water.

Officials failed to apply corrosion inhibitors to the water, which resulted in lead from aging pipes leaching into the water supply, exposing around 100,000 residents to elevated lead levels.

A pair of scientific studies confirmed that lead contamination was present in the water supply.

The city switched back to the Detroit water system on October 16, 2015.