The Ohio Water Resources Center Newsletter

Issue 4 | Volume 7 | July 2022

From Our Directors

The Ohio Water Resources Center (WRC) is seeking research pre-proposals to address current water resources issues in Ohio. This annual competition for in-state researchers is made possible through the Water Resources Research Institute 104(b) Program. The aim of these grants is to stimulate water-related research relevant to Ohio to the point where a highly competitive external proposal can be developed.


The Ohio WRC will accept any pre-proposal related to Ohio water resources issues but expects to give priority to proposals that address water technology, water resilience and security and emerging issues. Projects that also incorporate concepts of water equity — such as identifying causes and impacts of water-related disparities, developing or evaluating tools or strategies to improve water quality or evaluate environmental justice or providing scientific information to benefit underserved communities — are also sought.


Researchers involved in funded projects with an equity focus will be invited to join a regional working group coordinated by the Water Resources Research Institutes in the Great Lakes region. The working group will organize member-driven activities that may include, but are not limited to grant development workshops, conference special sessions, mini-conferences, special issue journal proposals and coordinated communications to amplify research impacts. Funding of up to $1000 for these activities will be provided directly by the Ohio WRC and should not be included in the project budget.


The application deadline for Ohio pre-proposals is 11:59 PM, Thursday, September 29, 2022. Pre-proposal decisions and an invitation to submit a full proposal will be announced the week of October 31, 2022. Full proposals will be due December 15, 2022 at 11:59 PM and funding decisions are expected the week of March 13, 2023. Funding is anticipated to begin on September 1, 2023.


Click here for the official request for proposals and detailed submission instructions.

Spotlight

The Impact of the Wastewater SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance and Its Transition to the Ohio Department of Health

In July 2020, the Ohio WRC, in partnership with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. EPA and Ohio Department of Health (ODH), began coordinating an effort to develop a network of analytical laboratories at Ohio’s universities and commercial labs to measure SARS-CoV-2 in raw wastewater. Wastewater samples were collected and analyzed from 70 communities and 13 universities across Ohio, covering 49% of the population. 

 

Prior to 2020, wastewater monitoring had not been applied on a scale as large as detecting worldwide infectious disease spread. Additionally, it was primarily utilized for research purposes rather than public health and response. The SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance has provided communities with valuable information such as early indications of whether COVID-19 cases in the community are increasing or decreasing, helping local hospitals prepare for potential outbreaks. Over 1000 notifications have been sent to local health districts.

 

At the end of June 2022, management of the wastewater monitoring network transitioned to the ODH along with former Ohio WRC Associate Director Dr. Zuzana Bohrerova. As people increasingly take at-home COVID-19 tests which are not publicly reported, wastewater surveillance will continue to play a vital role in evaluating the spread of COVID-19 in communities. Methods are also being developed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for monitoring influenza and foodborne illnesses in wastewater.

USGS Science Highlight

Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers Experiencing Widespread and Regional Changes

The U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Rock Island District have released a report regarding the ecological status and trends of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The report includes information on long-term changes in water quality, aquatic vegetation and fish from six study areas spread across the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, and it summarizes trends in possible drivers of long-term changes in the river including river discharge and floodplain land cover.  

 

The report found that there is more water in the river with high flows lasting longer and occurring more frequently, and floodplain forest loss has occurred across most of the system. Water has become clearer in many parts of the river, allowing sunlight to reach deeper and promote aquatic plant growth. Plants help slow the water and anchor sediment, promoting further water clarity and plant growth. Concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen remain high, but in many of the studied areas total phosphorus concentrations have declined. There have been substantial declines in forage fish — which serve as important food for larger fishes and other animals — and invasive carp have substantially affected the river ecosystem.

News Updates

Southwest Ohio Communities Receive $2.4 Million in Financing from Ohio EPA for Wastewater, Drinking Water Infrastructure Improvements

Via The Clermont Sun, June 26, 2022


PFAS Found Throughout Ohio River in New Study

Via 89.3 WFPL News Louisville, June 24, 2022


EPA Announces $18 Million for Training and Technical Assistance for Small, Rural, and Tribal Wastewater Improvements

Via US EPA, June 24, 2022 

EPA Proposes Changes (Again) to CWA Water Quality Certification Rule

Via The National Law Review, June 24, 2022 


EPA Announces New Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFAS Chemicals, $1 Billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding to Strengthen Health Protections

Via US EPA, June 15, 2022 


House Passes $25B Water Resources Development Bill 

Via Engineering News Record, June 8, 2022

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

Policy Update

Ohio EPA DEFA: Draft Program Year 2023 DWAF PMP


The Ohio EPA is pleased to announce that the Draft Drinking Water Assistance Fund (DWAF) Program Management Plan (PMP) for Program Year 2023 is available for public review and comment. The DWAF PMP describes how the Ohio EPA intends to administer and distribute funds in the DWAF.

 

Two public hearings, hosted online and in-person, are scheduled to accept comments on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Registration is available here and here. Written comments may be submitted via e-mail during the public notice period to defamail@epa.ohio.gov. All comments on the Draft PMP must be sent no later than close of business on Tuesday, July 26, 2022.

Opportunities

Call for Abstracts: Virtual ORBCRE Symposium

Youngstown State University is hosting the Ohio River Basin Consortium for Research and Education (ORBCRE) symposium and inviting oral and poster presentations. Topics include, but are not limited to, biological, environmental and water resources research within the Ohio River Basin, Great Lake Region, and beyond. The registration is open, and the abstract is due by August 1. Information about the conference and abstract submission can be found here.


Call for Abstracts: 2023 Sustainable Water Management Conference

Abstract submissions are currently being accepted for the 2023 Sustainable Water Management Conference April 16-19, 2023. Abstracts should cover topics such as water resources planning, source water protection, water efficiency and more. The deadline to submit is August 4, 2022 at 4 p.m. (MDT).

Call for Speakers: 2022 P3 Government Conference

The P3 Government Conference is currently accepting speakers to provide a case study, participate on a panel or lead a seminar for the P3 Government Conference December 1-2, 2022. It is an opportunity to gain publicity and recognition from a national audience involved in infrastructure. Interested participants can submit their proposals here.


Call for Articles: Ohio Section American Water Works Association (AWWA)

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 winter issue is October 8.

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

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Diversity in Water Speaker Series: Jeanna Hondel

July 14, 2022 • Virtual

Registration is open for a virtual discussion highlighting the diverse voices and experiences of leading professionals in the Ohio water industry. Hosted by the Ohio Section American Water Works Association's Diversity and Inclusion Committee and Young Professionals, the event features speaker Jeanna Hondel, President and founder of Ascension Construction Solutions.

 

Webinar: Air Pollution Risk Management Program for Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendents/Operators

July 19, 2022 • Virtual

Hosted by the Ohio EPA, this webinar will focus on the basics of the Risk Management Program (RMP) as directed under ORC 3752 and how it applies to both Water Treatment Plants (WTP) and Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs). Registration is open.  

 

Webinar: Freshwater Science: Using Bacteria to Remove Microcystin from Drinking Water

July 28, 2022 • Virtual

Registration is open for a webinar discussing new research from Ohio Sea Grant, Stone Lab and the Harmful Algal Bloom Research Initiative. Dr. Jason Huntley is developing new cost-effective, efficient, and safe methods to remove algal toxins from drinking water, using bacteria that naturally break down microcystin toxin into non-toxic component parts.

 

Conference: AWWA Transformative Issues Symposium

August 1-3, 2022 • Cincinnati, OH

Registration is open for the American Water Works Association’s Transformative Issues Symposium. The event brings together water sector professionals from across North America to discuss the most important and challenging issues of our times. Register by July 7, 2022 for lower rates. 

 

Webinar: The Impacts of Intel: A Energy and Water Panel Discussion

August 5, 2022 • Virtual

Registration is open for an online event featuring a discussion between industry experts, researchers and government leaders on the impact of Intel’s plan to build the largest semiconductor chip manufacturing facility ever built in New Albany, Ohio. The Energy and Water Panelist includes Ohio WRC Co-Director Linda Weavers.

 

2022 National Soil Moisture Workshop

August 9-10, 2022 • Columbus, OH

Hosted by Ohio State University, the National Soil Moisture Workshop provides a unique opportunity for leaders in soil moisture research and development to come together in an interactive format to exchange ideas and develop collaborations. Register by July 1, 2022 if you are interested in presenting and July 20, 2022 if you plan to attend.

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

Get in Touch


Email: OhioWRC@osu.edu

Phone: 614-292-2807

Website: https://wrc.osu.edu

Address: 475 Hitchcock Hall 

2070 Neil Avenue

Columbus, OH 43210

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