The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) through the Water Resources Research Act Program (WRRA) will open their National Competitive grants, Aquatic Invasive Species grants, and PFAS grants in March. Goals of the National Competitive (104g) grants program are to promote collaboration between the USGS and university scientists on research of significant national and regional water resources issues; promote the dissemination of results of the research funded under this program; and to assist in the training of scientists in water resources. The Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) grants support research on the real and growing impact of numerous aquatic invasive species on water quality and quantity in the Upper Mississippi Basin. The Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) grants support research in challenges and opportunities of understanding the impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances on water resources. More information on these grants is found on the USGS website here.

To learn more about these grants opportunities, the WRRA Institutes in the Great Lakes Region have organized a joint webinar for researchers to introduce these opportunities, discuss research priorities, review application logistics, and provide resources to connect researchers with each other and USGS scientists. The webinar will be held on zoom on March 18th. Zoom link: here. The Zoom login information: Meeting ID: 999 8201 7314 Passcode: i3pAwk

Across the nation, rates charged for drinking water, sewer management and stormwater services continue to increase, placing a heavy burden on families and communities who lack the financial capacity to face these costs. In Ohio, affordability in water and sewer bills continues to be a pressing issue. Dr. Ramiro Berardo and his team have produced an educational documentary, titled "And Water for All", that discusses the challenges in securing water access at affordable rates for Ohio’s residents. The documentary reflects the views of a wide range of stakeholders, including urban and rural residents of Ohio, policymakers from the two major political parties, members of environmental NGOs, public utilities representatives and academics. This project was funded, in part, by the Ohio WRC.

"And Water for All" aims to answer the question, what sort of measures should be taken to address the affordability crisis in the short and long term in order to secure sustained access to clean water for all of Ohio’s citizens? The Water Management Association of Ohio (WMAO) and the Environmental Professionals Network (EPN) are presenting "And Water for All" on #WorldWaterDay at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, The Ohio State University. To learn more and register visit here. After its release the documentary will be widely distributed for free on multiple online platforms.

If you have any questions, email OhioWRC@osu.edu.

Via E&E News, March 3, 2022

Via Engineer Research and Development Center - U.S. Army, March 1, 2022

Via EPA, February 16, 2022

Via Governor Mike DeWine - Ohio.gov, February 16, 2022

Via The Hill, February 15, 2022

Via People's Defender, February 10, 2022

Via Water & Wastes Digest, February 8, 2022

Via WEF News, February 4, 2022

Via CNN, February 3, 2022

Have a news article you'd like us to feature in our Newsletter? Email us at OhioWRC@osu.edu!

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking new proposals for cutting-edge projects that will provide new conservation opportunities through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. Ohio priorities in fiscal year 2022 include urban agriculture, soil health, water quality, and forestry-based sustainable natural ecosystems. Proposals are due March 28, 2022.

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is now accepting pre-proposals for novel, transformative research projects for funding through our Unsolicited Research Program. The Unsolicited Research Program funds projects that advance the science of water and increase our ability to protect and preserve water in a sustainable and cost-effective manner. Pre-proposals are due March 31, 2022.

In an effort to highlight members' knowledge, experiences, and achievements, Ohio AWWA is accepting technical articles and success stories. The intent is to highlight this content by including it in the 2022 issues of the Ohio Section Newsletter. Send a request to submit with a synopsis of the article to oawwa@assnoffices.com. Deadline for the spring issue is February 8, summer issue is April 22, and the winter issue is October 8.

The Universities Council on Water Resources is interested in publishing research resulting from 104b and 104g grants in the Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education (JCWRE). JCWRE is published three times per year (April, August & December) and is available on Wiley Online Library. Manuscripts may be submitted at any time, but should be submitted by February 15 to be considered for the August issue and June 15 for the December issue. More information about JCWRE, including author guidelines, can be found here.

To find more resources offered by Ohio WRC, please visit: https://wrc.osu.edu/resources

The 2022 Emerging Contaminants in the Environment Conference (ECEC22). Abstracts are requested on all aspects of emerging contaminants in the environment, including research, public health, policy, management, outreach, and education. Find out more information on the ECEC22 Submit Abstract page. Abstracts deadline has been extended to March 14, 2022.

The 11th International Drainage Symposium. Presentations are sought that include basic and applied research, as well as presentations that focus on outreach, demonstration, and practice. More information can be found here. Abstracts are due March 15, 2022.

March 9, 2022 • Virtual

Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR) presents a roundtable discussion centered on "Aquatic Invasive Species". This discussion will be facilitated by Jeffrey Peterson from the University of Minnesota's Water Resources Center. For more information on future sessions and on how to register please visit here.

The Diversity in Water Speaker Series invites leaders in Ohio’s water industry from diverse backgrounds to discuss their careers, lend us their life lessons, and help lead the discussion on championing diversity within the water industry and in our day-to-day lives. For more information on this month's speaker and to register please visit here.

March 16, 2022 • Virtual

Join presenters from Contech for Tinker's Creek Watershed Partners second in their series of Stormwater webinars. Registration can be found here.

Hosted by the International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), the State of Lake Erie conference will feature three days of concurrent sessions, plenaries, and discussions. Registration is open.

May 11-13, 2022 • Kalahari Resort and Conference Center in Sandusky, Ohio

The 2022 Ohio Stormwater Conference is an annual conference dedicated to advance the knowledge and understanding of comprehensive stormwater management for those dealing in all aspects of planning, design, implementation and regulatory compliance. Registration is now open!

Hosted annually by River Network, River Rally provides an inspiring and energy-infused touchpoint for nonprofit groups, as well as for agency and foundation representatives, industry innovators, philanthropists, academics, students, and community leaders. Registration is now open, early bird deals end on April 1, 2022.

Have an event you'd like us to feature in our Newsletter? Email us at OhioWRC@osu.edu!

The Maumee Watershed Nutrient Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Project has a goal to reduce harmful algal blooms in order to remove drinking water and recreational impairments to the Lake Erie Shoreline, Open Water and Islands of the Western Basin. Ohio EPA is holding monthly webinars to provide updates on the TMDL project development leading up to the release of the draft Preliminary Modeling Results by the end of March 2022. Click here to view previous webinars.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, The Division of Drinking and Ground Waters has adopted the amended rules in Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3745-81. The amended rules will be effective as of Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

This notification is to make you aware of, and solicit your input on, the Agency's proposed amendments to two General NPDES Permits Program Rules in Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Chapter 3745-38. Comments on the rules are due to the agency on March 29, 2022.

House bill 158 was introduced to enact section 3737.52 of the Revised Code to

prohibit the use of class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals

for testing and training purposes. The bill has passed in both the state house and senate.

Ohio EPA invites comments on the Ohio Environmental Education Fund's Annual Agenda for State Fiscal Year 2023. This year's priorities include helping students explore careers in environmental science and engineering, and educating Ohioans about ways to reduce emissions, prevent runoff of nutrients to lakes and streams, manage stormwater properly, and restore natural habitats. Comments are due to the agency by March 31, 2022.