Ohio Water Resources Center Newsletter |
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The 2021 Annual National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR) Meeting was held virtually this year. All 54 Water Resource Research Institutes met to discuss the common challenges and opportunities they face, meet with state representatives on Capitol Hill, and collaborate on advancing NIWR's mission. Through this meeting, the Institutes reflect on lessons learned from this past year to bring improvements in the future, including reporting to better demonstrate impact, improving diversity, equity and inclusion, and having broader impacts in their work.
During our virtual visits with offices of Ohio Representatives and Senators, we look to connect the research occurring through the Ohio WRC to contemporary water resources issues in the state that are in need of solutions while also learning about needs in legislative districts. During these discussions, solutions for Lake Erie erosion in coastal communities came up as a challenge that Ohio representatives want addressed. We are looking for anyone with expertise in this area to collaborate with in order to help these communities. Please contact us at ohiowrc@osu.edu if you are interested!
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Join the Environmental Professionals Network (EPN), the Water Management Association of Ohio, and TerrAqua, an Ohio State student organization, on March 9 for a virtual event on water affordability and equity strategies to support residents in marginalized communities. In addition to the featured program, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in networking roundtables connecting students and water resource professionals.
This program features an educational session (10:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.) as well as a networking round table session (11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) for students with water management professionals from academia, nonprofits, governmental entities, and the private sector. For more information, visit here.
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A new USGS study reports that about 45% of public-supply wells and about 37% of U.S. domestic supply wells have concentrations of lithium that present a potential human-health risk. Just this January, lithium was added to the EPA's proposed Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule.
Elevated levels of lithium were found primarily in samples of untreated groundwater from drinking-water wells in arid regions and in “old” groundwater—that is, groundwater that recharged the aquifer before 1953. The most elevated lithium concentrations were measured in wells that tap unconsolidated clastic aquifers (aquifers composed of sand or similar materials) in the western U.S., in particular the High Plains, Rio Grande, Stream-valley, and Basin and Range basin-fill aquifer systems. Nearly 10 million people rely on groundwater in these four aquifer systems for drinking water.
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Citation: Lindsey, B.D., Belitz, K., Cravotta, C.A. III, Toccalino, P.L., and Dubrovsky, N.M. 2021. Science of the Total Environment, v. 767. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144691
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Presently, lithium is not regulated in drinking water in the U.S. The USGS, in collaboration with the EPA, calculated a nonregulatory Health-Based Screening Level (HBSL) for drinking water of 10 micrograms per liter (µg/L) or parts per billion to provide context for evaluating lithium concentrations in groundwater. A second “drinking-water-only” lithium benchmark of 60 µg/L can be used when it is assumed that the only source of lithium exposure is from drinking water (other sources of lithium include eggs, dairy products, and beverages such as soft drinks and beer); this higher benchmark was exceeded in 9% of samples from public-supply wells and in 6% of samples from domestic-supply wells.
The USGS compiled data for lithium measured in untreated groundwater from 1,464 public-supply wells and 1,676 domestic-supply wells during 1991–2018. The study was designed to collect data representative of groundwater used as a source of drinking water at the national- and regional-aquifer scale and included data from the USGS National Water-Quality Assessment project and the California Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment (GAMA) project. Groundwater in the aquifers from which samples were collected represents 80% of groundwater used for public supply in the U.S. These aquifers are a source of drinking water for about 100 million people.
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Via Dayton Daily News, February 8, 2021
Via Water Online, February 9, 2021
Via Chemical & Engineering News, February 10, 2021
Via Ohio Country Journal, February 11, 2021
Via Water World, February 11, 2021
Via The Allegheny Front, February 12, 2021
Via Toledo Blade, February 14, 2021
Via Ohio Country Journal, February 15, 2021
Via Mass Transit, February 15, 2021
Via WVXU, February 16, 2021
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Have a news article you'd like us to feature in our Newsletter? Email us at OhioWRC@osu.edu! |
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Ohio Sea Grant Request for Proposals for 2022-2024 |
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Ohio Sea Grant is requesting pre-proposals for one- to two-year research projects on Great Lakes issues with particular significance to Lake Erie and its watershed. Pre-proposals must be submitted online by 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 25, 2021. Visit here for proposal guidelines, required forms and to submit your documents.
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Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Program |
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US EPA is soliciting applications from eligible applicants to assist in the development and use of innovative activities relating to water workforce development and career opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector, and expand public awareness about drinking water and wastewater utilities and to connect individuals to careers in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector. Application packages must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET March 26th, 2021, in order to be considered for funding. View the Request for Applications here.
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Ohio WARN Secretary Vacancy |
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Ohio Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) is seeking an individual to fill the position of Secretary. The position will be filled by accepting nominations and conducting a voting process by all OH WARN voting members. If interested, please contact Tim Truman at tim.truman@daytonohio.gov.
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Final File - Rulemaking Governing Underground Injection Control
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Ohio EPA Division of Drinking and Ground Water (DDAGW) has adopted final revisions to three rules in Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Chapter 3745-34, Water Quality Standards. This rulemaking includes the following rules: 3745-34-09: Requirements for Wells Injecting Hazardous Wastes; 3745-34-21: Duration of Permits; and 3745-34-63: Class I Annual Permit Fee, Fee Per Ton of Waste Injected. The effective date of these rules was February 14, 2021. Visit https://epa.ohio.gov/ddagw/rules.aspx for more information.
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Whitewater River Watershed Draft Loading Analysis Plan |
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The Whitewater River watershed was surveyed in 2017-19 and assessed for aquatic life and recreation beneficial uses. The results from this survey were used to develop a loading analysis plan for the impaired sites in this watershed. A loading analysis plan is the third step in the TMDL development process and lists actions to be taken by the Agency for sampling sites found to be impaired for a beneficial use designation. Visit https://epa.ohio.gov/dsw/wq for more information. Comments are due by 5:00 p.m. on March 10, 2021 to EPATMDL@epa.ohio.gov.
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Early Stakeholder Outreach - Financial Assurance Rules |
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Ohio EPA’s Division of Drinking and Ground Waters (DDAGW) is reviewing and considering amendments to several rules in Chapter 3745-92 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) to satisfy the five-year rule review requirements of section 106.03 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) and to meet the financial assurance requirements established in ORC 6109.08. These rules establish Financial Assurance (previously “escrow”) requirements. Click here for the complete fact sheet describing this notice. Comments are due by March 18, 2021 to ddagw_rulecomments@epa.ohio.gov.
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Maumee Watershed Nutrient TMDL Project |
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Ohio EPA's first outreach module on the Maumee Watershed Nutrient Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Project is now available for viewing. This module provides background on the overall TMDL process and this project. The module is available for viewing here. This is the first module in a series of three modules Ohio EPA is developing for the Maumee Watershed Nutrient TMDL Project. For more information about this project, visit here. If you would like to receive notifications, please go here to subscribe.
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Lower Great Miami River and Selected Tributaries Draft Loading Analysis Plan |
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The Lower Great Miami River and Selected Tributaries was surveyed in 2010 and assessed for aquatic life and recreation beneficial uses. The results from this survey were used to develop a loading analysis plan for the impaired sites in this watershed. A loading analysis plan is the third step in the TMDL development process and lists actions to be taken by the Agency for sampling sites found to be impaired for a beneficial use designation. Click here for a fact sheet describing this notice and the loading analysis plan. Comments are due by 5:00 p.m. on March 22, 2021, to EPATMDL@epa.ohio.gov. If you have any questions regarding this report, please contact Keith Orr at Keith.Orr@epa.ohio.gov or (614) 644-2885.
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NPDES Construction Storm Water 101 |
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This webinar will provide an overview of Ohio’s construction storm water requirements and the construction general permit. Topics will include permit coverage, Notice of Intent and Notice of Termination applications, basic storm water pollution prevention plans, and both active and post-construction requirements. Please join us on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (EST). Presenter: Wesley Sluga, Division of Surface Water. Register here. Earning continuing education units (CEUs) is an important activity for maintaining a professional accreditation, certification, or operator license. More details about these different CEUs and how Ohio EPA webinar participants can earn credit for attending can be found here. To see a full listing of our upcoming training opportunities and events click here.
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Final Rules- Credible Data Program Wave 2, OAC Chapter 3745-4 |
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Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water (DSW) has adopted final revisions to five rules in Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Chapter 3745-4(-02, -03, -04, -05, -06). This rulemaking includes: Definitions, Qualified data collectors, Level 1 data requirements and reporting, Level 2 data requirements and reporting, & Level 3 data requirements and reporting. The major updates proposed in this rulemaking are a number of revisions to improve the quality of data and the administrative aspects of the program, including the extension of timeframes for data submission and updates to definitions, method references (particularly the Field Methods for Evaluating Primary Headwater Streams), and requirements for qualified data collectors. The effective date of these rules is March 1, 2021. For more information, please visit here.
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OSU Sustainability Institute Flow and Terroir
First Thursday of the Month 4:30-5:30 PM
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March 4, 2021 • Virtual Informal Discussion
4:30-5:30 PM
Review of SI HALW Activities and Plans-How can we best support faculty?
April 1, 2021 • Virtual Informal Discussion
4:30-5:30 PM
Upcoming grant submissions-Interest and team development
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OSU EPN- WMAO 2021 Spring Seminar
Equity Strategies in Water Affordability for Marginalized Communities
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March 9, 2021 • Virtual Event
10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
The Ohio State University’s Environmental Professionals Network (EPN), partnering with the Water Management Association of Ohio (WMAO) and TerrAqua (an Ohio State student organization), are co-hosting this virtual event to focus attention on water affordability and equity strategies to support residents in marginalized communities. Visit here for registration and updates.
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GWI World Water Day Event: Water is a Human Right, Right?
Water Access Issues Facing First Nations and Low-Income Communities
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March 22, 2021 • Webinar
The Ohio State University Global Water Institute (GWI) is hosting a World Water Day Event titled “Water is a Human Right, Right?: Water Access Issues Facing First Nations and Low-Income Communities” including a series of external speakers involved with our Navajo and other projects. That panel will consist of a combination of short presentations and Q&A.
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UN World Water Day 2021 Webinar
The Fundamental Issues of Global Water Security: Linking Water Security to Nature
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March 22, 2021 • Webinar
2:00 AM to 4:30 AM
To focus on valuing water and framing high-level adaptive, real-time monitoring and nature-based solutions to the challenges and opportunities of global water security, the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR) is organizing the 3rd Webinar on Global Water Security with an emphasis on the fundamental issues of global water security: linking water security to nature, and on managing and improving the resources and quality of water in lakes, rivers, wetlands and coastal based systems. Visit here for updates.
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How to Develop, Win and Execute Interdisciplinary Grants for Research |
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March 30, 2021 • Webinar
10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Join the Sustainability Institute’s "Healthy Air, Land and Water Seminar: How to Develop, Win and Execute Interdisciplinary Grants for Research" to explore how to submit winning grants and what to do once the grant has been awarded. Discussion will focus on the process for submitting proposals, finding collaborators and avoiding pitfalls. Visit here for details and registration.
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April 21-23, 2021 • Virtual Summit
The 2021 P3 Water Summit is a groundbreaking online event for water agencies and industry. The summit will deliver a virtual and interactive conference, exhibition and networking experience to over 600 delegates nationwide. Many public and industry leaders will be presenting this year, who'll be sharing their responses to challenges and strategies for recovering from Coronavirus-related disruption. Visit here for updates.
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University of Illinois Conference - Emerging Contaminants in the Environment Conference 2021 |
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April 27-28, 2021 • Virtual Conference
Mark your calendars for ECEC21. As in past years, the conference will feature presentations and lightning talks on the latest research, policy, and outreach on emerging contaminants in soils, water, and air. There will be opportunities for attendees to interact with presenters and each other through planned virtual spaces. Visit here for updates.
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WEF Conference - Residuals and Biosolids Conference 2021 |
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May 11-14, 2021 • Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH
Save the date for the 2021 Residuals and Biosolids Conference and plan to experience a robust program highlighting continued advances in the wastewater residuals and biosolids sector. Potential speakers are invited to submit an abstract for podium presentation, workshop, virtual presentation, or exhibitor mobile session.
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May 17-20, 2021 • Virtual Event
Join us for the second Virtual River Rally! Our engaging and fun virtual program will run for four empowering days. Featuring ‘live’ content including plenaries, workshops, discussions, and inspiring reflections from award recipients, along access to a huge library of recorded workshops, opportunities to connect with peers, and an innovative new community platform that will connect the network for years to come. We hope you’ll join us!
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2021 Ohio Stormwater Conference |
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May 19-21, 2021 • Kalahari Resort and Conference Center, Sandusky, OH & Virtual
The 2021 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. The conference will provide updates on environmental issues, new technologies, regulatory information and pollution prevention. The 2021 Ohio Stormwater Conference is a great opportunity to strengthen your skills and knowledge in an intensive workshop setting with other colleagues. This is anticipated to be a hybrid event.
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Have an event you'd like us to feature in our Newsletter? Email us at OhioWRC@osu.edu! |
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Email: OhioWRC@osu.edu
Phone: 614-292-2807
Website: https://wrc.osu.edu/
Address: 311 Hitchcock Hall
2070 Neil Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
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