The Ohio Water Resources Center Newsletter

Issue 7 | Volume 5 | July 2023

From Our Directors

Perchlorate is commonly used in fireworks as an oxidizer to enhance the combustion process and create vibrant colors. Perchlorate is soluble in water, highly mobile in soils, and doesn't readily degrade. These characteristics make it so that when fireworks containing perchlorate are set off, the residue often finds its way into waterways.

Once perchlorate enters waterways, it can pose environmental and health risks. It interferes with thyroid function by inhibiting the uptake of iodide by the thyroid gland. This can disrupt hormone production and lead to various health issues, particularly in pregnant women, infants, and individuals with thyroid conditions. High concentrations of perchlorate in water bodies may also be harmful to aquatic life, affecting their reproductive systems and overall health.

Currently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not consider perchlorate a drinking water contaminant. Therefore, regulation of perchlorate isn't required under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Although not federally regulated, the EPA has released steps that water systems can take to address perchlorate in drinking water.

USGS Science Highlight

Understanding Water Availability

Water availability refers to the presence and accessibility of water resources in a particular region. In order to sustain human development and aquatic ecosystems, understanding and maintaining water availability is crucial. The U.S. Congress recognized the need for regularly updated information on water availability in the SECURE Water Act. This act calls for the establishment of a national water availability assessment within the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The quality and availability of water not only varies spatially and temporally, but is influenced by human activities and natural events. Quantifying these factors is complicated, making assessing water availability a difficult task. By monitoring the core components of water quantity, water quality, water use, and aquatic community health, USGS combines model predictions of these components to assess the water supply and total demand for regions of the U.S. The USGS Water Resources Mission Area will collect and share regularly updated data to help determine tipping points in water availability, allowing for more resilient and sustainable management of water resources.

The USGS will analyze and interpret these data to provide national assessments of water availability every five years.

News Updates

More testing planned after lead found at elevated levels in Tusky water supply

Via TimesReporter, June 14, 2023

DuPont Face PFAS Liability Risks Beyond Drinking Water Offer

Via BloombergLaw, June 13, 2023

Federal court approves Lake Erie settlement agreement for TMDL

Via OhiosCountryJournal, June 12, 2023

ODNR celebrates completion of Medina County H2Ohio project

Via SpectrumNews, June 9, 2023

NRWA, water systems to win in historic $1.1B settlement with PFAS manufacturers

Via WaterWorld, June 5, 2023

Advisory issued for Buck Creek main beach due to high E. coli levels

Via Springfield News-Sun, June 15, 2023

Governor DeWine awards additional $114M to address critical water infrastructure

Via HighlandCountyPress, June 16, 2023

Ohio communities receive $13.7 million in financing from Ohio Water Development Authority for wastewater and drinking water improvements

Via MCHNews, June 7, 2023

Western Reserve Land Conservancy receives $40,000 for water quality improvement grants

Via MorningJournal, June 15, 2023

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

Opportunities

Request for Proposals: Time Critical Water Resource Issues in Ohio

The Ohio Water Resources Center (WRC) is seeking research proposals to address time critical water resources issues in Ohio. This funding mechanism is for proposals having urgency with regard to availability of, or access to data, including quick response research on natural or anthropogenic disasters and similar unanticipated events. Contact Ohio WRC (ohiowrc@osu.edu) to determine if a project may fit into this category prior to submission. Click here for more detailed instructions.

Request for Applications: National Environmental Youth Advisory Council (NEYAC)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking applications to serve on the agency's first-ever national environmental youth advisory council. Register here for an informational webinar that will be held on August 7, 2023 at 12 PM ET. The deadline to apply is August 22, 2023.

Request for Proposals: USDA Agriculture Research

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released available funding sources for projects focused on Sustainable Agricultural Systems. The deadline to apply is July 13, 2023.

Call for Abstracts: 52nd Annual WMAO Meeting and Symposium

Water Management Association of Ohio (WMAO) 52nd annual meeting and symposium, themed "Water: Our Most Valuable Resource", will be held from November 7-8. For full abstract submittal information, click here. To directly access the online submittal form, click here. Deadline for presentation abstract submission is July 7, 2023.

Request for Applications: Evaluation of Antimicrobial Resistance

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking applications to address knowledge gaps in the occurrence, fate and transport, and persistence of antimicrobial resistant organisms and genes found in municipal wastewater effluent and biosolids. More information can be found here. The deadline to apply is August 16, 2023.

Call for Abstracts: One Water On Demand

One Water On Demand is seeking abstract submissions for presentations applicable to both water and wastewater audiences. For more information and to submit, click here. Deadline for submission is July 12, 2023.

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

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Designing Manufactured Treatment Devices (MTDs) with Maintenance in Mind

July 11, 2023 • Virtual

Registration is open for a webinar co-produced by the Ohio Stormwater Association and Stormwater University. Dana Stayer (Hinaman) will be discussing design considerations for manufactured treatment devices, the requirements at a maintenance event, and post maintenance disposal.

Webinar: Ohio EPA Regulations In The Community

July 12, 2023 • Virtual

Registration is open for an Ohio EPA webinar. This webinar will provide an overview of the environmental regulations affecting both large and small businesses, and explain Ohio EPA's permitting, inspection and enforcement procedures.

Webinar: Medicated Streams, Pharmaceuticals Within and Near Treatment Plants in the Lake Erie's Western Basin

July 26, 2023 • Virtual

Registration is open for a webinar hosted by Ohio Sea Grant. Dr. Kevin McCluney will be discussing the variations in locations of emerging contaminants and how establishing these patterns would help managers understand the chemicals’ impacts on the environment, potentially identifying hotspots for treatment.

Conference: One Water Technical Conference

Aug 21-24, 2023 • Greater Columbus Convention Center

One Water is a joint effort between the Ohio Water Environment Association and the Ohio Section of the American Water Works Association. We join together to bring both water and wastewater professionals from around the state for training and networking. Registration is open.

Conference: Duke Energy Student Conference

Fall 2023 • Virtual

This is an event for students interested in 2024 paid internships and coop positions to learn about the innovations in clean energy and work experiences at Duke Energy. To receive updates about this event and Duke Energy's 2024 opportunities, text INTERN2024 to 71729.