In May 2020, the State of Ohio made a significant investment in public infrastructure for wastewater monitoring. The main goal of the Ohio Coronavirus Wastewater Monitoring Network (OCWMN) has been to provide a leading indication of SARS-CoV-2 trends in monitored communities. Since its inception, the OCWMN has monitored about 70 locations statewide, the majority of them, twice a week. The results of this monitoring have been valuable in providing early insight into SARS-CoV-2 community trends and it acts as a complimentary tool to other, more traditional, disease monitoring techniques such as case counts and hospitalizations. Although wastewater monitoring cannot predict the number of people currently infected in communities, it can indicate the trends of disease spread (e.g. increase, decrease, stable). Additionally, extracted viral RNA from wastewater can be sequenced and provides evidence for variants currently circulating in the population.

OCWMN started sequencing wastewater to evaluates the type of SARS-CoV-2 variant present in April 2021 and briefly saw Alpha SARS-CoV-2 variant being replaced by the Delta variant. Recently, OCWMN observed the emergence of Omicron in our communities – the first three positive Omicron variant detections were from 12/5 samples – one in a Columbus treatment plant and two in Cleveland treatment plants. This result has been confirmed by positive Omicron cases in both communities – 2 people in Columbus on 12/7 and one person in Cleveland on 12/6 – and marked the start of community spread of this variant.

For more information on OCWMN visit our website. More updates on the Omicron variant can be found on the CDC website.

Via Spectrum News, January 2, 2022

Via WBEZ, January 3, 2022

Via E&E News, January 3, 2022

Via The Hill, January 11, 2022

Via Ohio's Country Journal, January 12, 2022

Via Boating Industry, January 18, 2022

Via The New York Times, January 19, 2022

Via WFMJ.com, January 20, 2022

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

Request for Applications: National Estuarine Research Reserve Science Collaborative

The National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) Science Collaborative is pleased to announce the Request for Science Transfer Proposals. This grant program supports the co-development and application of relevant and usable knowledge to address critical coastal management issues identified by the NERR System to improve the long-term stewardship of the nation’s estuaries. Proposals are due February 24, 2022.

CIGLR is accepting proposals from Regional Consortium Partners for a suite of programs that aim to build collaborative partnerships through career development opportunities, visionary science, and impactful outreach. Please visit the full program announcements for descriptions, eligibility, and application information.

Ohio EPA agency divisions hiring interns include but are not limited to: Division of Air Pollution Control, Division of Surface Water, Division of Drinking and Ground Waters, Division of Environmental Response, Environmental Services and the Division of Materials and Waste Management. Applications are due February 18, 2022. Search for and apply to jobs here.

A research opportunity is currently available at the U.S. EPA's, Office of Water, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds located in Washington, D.C. The aim of this research is to reduce nutrient loads in order to improve water quality. To learn more or apply visit here.

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

April 27-28, 2022 • I Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign, IL & Virtual

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 are due February 7, 2022.

August 30- September 22, 2022 • Des Moines, Iowa

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.

February 2, 2022

This Ohio Stormwater Association webinar will discuss transportation specific BMPs and implementation of those BMPs for designers new to roadway BMPs or those involved in project reviews.

Webinar: The Current- Winter Manure Application and Water Quality

February 9, 2022 • Virtual

The Current Webinar Series presented by the North Central Region Water Network is a speed networking series for professionals engaged in water-related extension, research, and conservation activities. This webinar will discuss if there are ways to spread manure in the winter months without jeopardizing water quality.

February 14, 2022 • Virtual

Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR) presents a roundtable discussion centered on "Utilizing Drones in Research". This discussion will be facilitated by Fabian Nippgen from the University of Wyoming's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. For more information on future sessions and on how to register please visit here.

February 22, 2022 • Virtual

Ohio Sea Grant presents a webinar focused on "Stopping Algal Bloom Toxins at the Kitchen Tap". For more information and to register please visit here.

February 24, 2022 • Virtual

Do you need to develop a SWPPP to comply with a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System industrial storm water permit? Learn the elements of a SWPPP and mistakes to avoid during this webinar.

March 22, 2022 • Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, The Ohio State University

Water Management Association of Ohio (WMAO) and the Environmental Professionals Network (EPN) present "And Water for All", an educational documentary examining the opportunities and challenges that governmental and non-governmental entities are facing today to secure clean and affordable water and what to expect in the coming decades. Join this conversation on #WorldWaterDay to see how we can ensure all residents of our communities have this basic right. To learn more and register visit here.

March 16-18, 2022 • Hilton Cleveland Downtown, Cleveland, OH

Hosted by the International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), the State of Lake Erie conference will feature two days of concurrent sessions, plenaries, and discussions. Registration is now open, early bird deals end on February 11, 2022.

April 7-8, 2022 • San Diego, California

The P3 Water Summit is an opportunity to learn, discuss and share evolving concepts and state-of-the-art techniques in delivering water partnerships. The annual program focuses on drinking water, green infrastructure, wastewater, sanitation, stormwater, resiliency and more. Visit here to register.

June 4-7, 2022 • Washington, DC

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. Starting in December, Ohio EPA will begin 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. Here is January's webinar slides.

Ohio EPA will be holding a virtual and in-person public hearing on the rules on February 8th, 2022 at 11:00 am. Register for the meeting here.

Ohio EPA will be holding a virtual and in-person public hearing on the rules on February 10th, 2022 at 11:00 am. Register for the meeting here.

Ohio EPA's Draft 2022 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report is available for review and comment. Ohio EPA will present information about the list through a webinar on February 15, 2022. Comments are due February 28, 2022.