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In This Issue
Water Resources Info
AWRA Career Center
Non-AWRA Calls for Abstracts
Non-AWRA Water Resources Conferences
he Media of Water

Logo for Right to Water 

New Book: The Right to Water: Politics, Governance and Social Struggles


Edited by Farhana Sultana and Alex Loftus


Image of Running Dry
Running Dry: Beyond the Brink

 

The blog Waterwired 

highlights Jim Thebaut's film Running Dry: Beyond the Brink, a documentary linking global water scarcity, drought and climate change to public health, energy, agriculture and  ultimately the impact on international security.  Click here for a preview. 



2012 water for  texas plan 

There's a link to the 2012 Texas Water Plan  in the Announcements to the right 

Image of Technician

More on the Use of Recycled Water
in the Economist

See information on the
National Research Council's newly released report on wastewater in the Announcement Section to the right.)

NOAA map
 
News on Historical Dry Weather:  What's Causing it?  
 

An article on what's causing driest, warmest winters in history appeared in the Scientific American.

Image Mississippi River

Corps Gets Levee, Dredge $ for Mississippi River Projects   

Much of it available for  repairs needed from 2011 flooding. See article.

Farm video image    

Water & Farming Stewardship Practices Get Attention  

 

New case studies and interviews document agricultural water stewardship practices  at the farm and irrigation district level.  The Pacific Institute's California Farm Water Success Stories   

 

Image of chromium pollution

The Worst Toxic Pollution Problems

The world's top ten toxic pollution problems are the focus of a recent report by the Blacksmith Institute and Green Cross Switzerland.  Link to the report .

   

 

protest in Argentina 

Water  More Valuable than Gold    

 

Thousands In Northwestern Argentina protest an open-cast gold mining project in area which provides the sole source of drinking water for arid region below. The article states "Today, modern mining methods require large explosions, huge volumes of water, and the use of cyanide to extract the mineral, which is why local residents are protesting." 

  

 Balbina Dam in Brazil

More Dams on the Amazon Evoke Concern     

 

Article in Scientific American covers Brazil's plans to expand dam building in the Amazon Basin, a move opposed by many environmental groups. According to SA,  "Hydropower currently accounts for more than 75 percent of Brazil's electric energy generation, but only a little more than a third of the country's hydro capacity has been tapped."


Environmental Costs of Dams Highlighted

This video, produced  by International Rivers and Friends of the Earth Intenational, presents a case for why dams are the wrong answer to addressing energy and related climate change issues. Case studies in the Amazon, Africa, and the Himalayas are featured. 


Image Smart Water Metering Chart 
"Smart Water Metering" 
Generates Big Investments

According to Water World, Smart Water Metering is helping to identify and reduce leakages.  In Europe alone, this technology is expected to generate a cumulative investment of $7.8 billion by 2020. Click here for article.

Hydrofracking picture 

What's Happening to the Wastewater from Oil and Gas Production?


According to Reuters, "every day U.S. oil and gas producers bring to the surface 60 million barrels of wastewater, with a salt content up to 20 times higher than sea water and laced with hazardous chemicals." Click here.

      

  

  

    

     

  

  

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

   

  

  

  

  

 

  



people and globe

AW
RA
Mem
ber News  
Renew NOW for 2012
or
"The study of water cuts across many disciplines. AWRA attracts individuals who wish to transcend the limits of their own discipline by exploring water from other perspectives and interacting with others who desire to do the same." - Michael E. Campana, AWRA President

 From  Seametrics posting, August 2011


 

NGO Embraces Multidisciplinary Approach to Water Resources

  

*****************
 
Not a member? 
Please join us in   protecting and managing of our water resources ... together.

AWRA State Section Activities





Connections 

The E-Newsletter of the

American Water Resources Association

January 2012 


Tuatahi ko te wai, tuarua whanau mai te tamaiti, ka puta ko te whenua"
When a child is born, the water comes first and then the child ...
 
Saying of the indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand
included in article by Jacinta Rura contained in The Right to Water
(see information on left)  


Dear Friend of AWRA,     

 

The first of this year's newsletters has lots of information. I hope you'll check it out and share with others ... as always.  Here's a preview of a few of the topics contained in "The Media of Water" to the left and in the new "Announcements" below:

  

  • Update on AWRA's involvement in the 6th World Water Forum  
  • New book on water rights, with articles from across the globe  
  • A new report on the use of wastewater from the NRC  
  • A 26 minute film preview on world drought conditions   
  • The recently released State of Texas' Water Plan for 2012  
  • Two reports on toxic pollution   
  • Information on full scholarships to the University of Arkansas
  • AWRA scholarship and awards announcement - and other awards   
  • Information on the Bureau of Reclamation's 2012 Earth School   
  • Articles on Army Corps of Engineer activities in the Mississippi and concerns about the building of dams around the world  
  • Coverage of water related farming, mining and drilling activities  

  

Thanks to all of you who have sent me articles and ideas for coverage.  

 

As a reminder to AWRA members, a renewal for 2012 is easily made online or by calling AWRA.  If it's not immediately easy when you try to access your account via our website, please call me right away 540.687.8390. I'm here! 

 

Also, non-members, we can only build our membership and strengthen our ability to address water resources issues from a strong, multidisciplinary perspective if you join with us to help. I would love to talk with you about the benefits and importance that comes from supporting AWRA's mission and activities at a membership level that works for you.

All the best,

Mary

      

Photo of Mary Ashton 

  

Mary Ashton

AWRA

540.687.8390

    

P.S. As with last month's edition of Connections, there's an Announcement section directly below, The Media of Water section - which highlights water related news and media postings - is to the left, and a Water Resource Information section is further down the page (it's on a blue background) where previously published news and announcements are kept until they go out of date or are just deleted. Look below as well for conference information, Call for Abstracts, and State Section activities. I'm always looking for news ideas and articles, so please keep Connections in mind and send me an email at [email protected] with yours.    

  

  

  

Photo of sea lionANNOUNCEMENTS


USGS logo

USGS Public Lecture in Reston, VA features The View from Space: Landsats Role in Tracking Forty Years of Global Changes
with Dr. Thomas R. Loveland On Wednesday, February 1, 2012  7-8pm   

  

A new report from the National Research Council points out reusing treated municipal wastewater for drinking water, irrigation, industry, and other applications could significantly increase the nation's total available water resources.  Link to press release here.  

        

UA logo Scholarship Opportunity: The National Cooperative Fisheries Scholars (NCFS) program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is soliciting applicants for several full, 4-year scholarships available for Fisheries Biology majors at UA beginning August 2012. The NCFS program was created by the U.S. Geological Survey - Biological Resources Division (USGS-BRD) and UAPB in 2001. The application deadline is March 1, 2012. Information at:  www.uaex.edu/aqfi and 870-575-8107.   

 

AWRA small logo  

 Nominations for AWRA awards and applications for the Richard A. Herbert Memorial Scholarship are now being accepted.  Please visit the AWRA website and click on "About Us" at the top to view types of awards and learn about the scholarship application process.  

    

 World Water Forum Logo  AWRA will play a significant role in the 6th World Water Forum, an event characterized by workshops and dialogue sessions on 21st century world water challenges, especially access to water and sanitation. 

Representatives of nations, local governments, associations, NGOs, and businesses will be attending to learn from local and world experts as well as to participate in discussions and debates leading up to final policy recommendations.   

 

This year's forum in Marseille France March 12 - 17 will include six representatives of AWRA: Past President Michael Campana will speak on groundwater concerns; Past President Ari Michelsen, President Elect Carol Collier, and Technical Director Richard Engberg will be involved in Integrated Water Resources Management presentations and discussions; Past President Jerry Sehlke will be speaking on the topic of water and energy; and Executive Vice President Ken Reid will actively participate as a member of the World Water Council Board of Governors as well as in his role within AWRA.   

 

This event, which is expected to attract 25,000 people from around the world, is open to all. Information regarding registration can be found at the WWF website.

 

Check your Connection e-newsletter in the spring for a report on activities and outcomes.

 

Logo for Rain Bird 

Rain Bird announces its fifth annual Intelligent Use of Water Awards Program providing more than $50,000 in grants to water-efficient projects 

Anyone can anonymously vote on these projects on a daily basis until March 15, 2012. Winners will be announced on World Water Day, March 22, 2012.

 

 

The Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water (PSIPW) is now accepting nominations for its 5th Award (2012).PSIPW is a bi-annual scientific award that recognizes innovative water-related research. Applications close January 31. 2012. 
 

 

Bureau of Reclaimation Logo  

The Bureau of Reclamation will host its 2012 Earth School: Visual Identification of Soils and Introduction to Geotechnical Investigation March 6 - 8. Participants will learn about techniques used to visually classify and recognize soils in civil engineering projects, in addition to learning exploration methods and construction techniques with earth materials.  

EPA logo The EPA released the 2010 Toxic Release Inventory National Analysis on January 5, 2012. The TRI National Analysis is an annual report that displays EPA's analysis and interpretation of the most recent TRI data.    

 

2012 water for  texas plan  The Texas Water Development Board has released the 2012 Water Plan for Texas.  Click here for details.  

  

 

GIS Water Resources Conf Logo 

AWRA's GIS & WATER RESOURCES VII CONFERENCE'S Preliminary Program is now online.   Register by March 5, 2012 to get the early bird rates.  

             2012 early logo     

 

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS for AWRA's 2012 Summer Specialty Conferences. Due date February 6, 2012.    

CALL FOR SPECIAL SESSIONS for AWRA's 2012 Annual Conference

November 12-15 2012 Jacksonville, Florida.  Special Session proposals are due February 3, 2012. For more information, please go to AWRA's website  


JAWRA

 Visit our instructions for authors to learn how to submit your manuscript.

Questions?  Contact [email protected]

   
 American Water Resources AssociationInformation  

Postings here are captured from "The Media of Water" and "Announcements" sections of previous editions of AWRA's e-newsletter
 

  

Winner of competition drives home message of global groundwater depletion.  See video and story. 

   

A new plan for the Ogallala Aquifer attempts to slow the aquifer's depletion

 

Colorado officials meet on hydraulic fracturing chemical disclosure rules 
 
The National Research Council's December 2011 report says there are benefits and risks to mining uranium in Virginia.  Many of these risks are water resources related.   

 

AWRA's Dick Engberg writes about the pros and cons of Uranium mining in Virginia for the Middleburg Eccentric 

 

William K. Reilly, former administrator of the EPA under George H.W. Bush, writes 
 

Wes Jackson called  a "one man revolution in agriculture" because of his research in food perennials to prevent soil erosion, run off, and the disruption of natural processes.    

 

Europe's Second Largest River Effected by Drought and Water Management Policies     

 

The Need for a Coordinated Water Policy is Brought to U.S. Senate's Attention     

 

Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa took place November 28 - December 9   "For the first time, world governments committed themselves to write a comprehensive global agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, covering developed and developing countries, to come into force in 2020" says The Guardian     

Study Finds that California Agriculture is Using Water Efficiently "Claims that California farmers are wasteful ... when it comes to managing  water supplies are inaccurate"  according to a study released last week by CA State University's Center for Irrigation Technology.

The Clean Water America Alliance has released its latest report, Barriers and Gateways to Green Infrastructure. The report summarizes ongoing green infrastructure research and education programs of the Alliance.  

 

The U.N.'s Panel on Climate Change issued
and extreme weather such as heat waves, floods, droughts and storms..

Water requirements for food in 2050 will require the capacity of 55 Aswan Dams every year, exposing the world to a progressive and critical increase in water scarcity including climate change impacts. 
Muller Slide Presentation - Water & Food Security. A brief summary is also available on the  World Water Day website. 

Conservative, anti-global warming scientist Barry Bickmore has turned from global warming skeptic to advocate based on the evidence.  Click here for comments and video  

 

Amazing video that shows you two centuries of global warming in 2 minutes.

Graphite-coated sand grains may be a solution to contaminated drinking water in developing countries according to  BBC Mobile News.
  To view the study abstract, click here.

Australia passes domestic climate legislation   Click here for an overview of the Clean Energy Legislative Package.  

New studies provide hydrologic and groundwater information on Southwest Basin-fill Aquifers.

 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1781/), and (2) regional conceptual models of the natural and human factors affecting groundwater quality across these basins (available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2011/5020/). Questions can be directed to Susan Thiros, [email protected], 801-908-5063.


North Indian business sells clean water and access to health care simultaneously.  

 For more on this NPR story, click here. 

   


A new report from the National Research Council presents a framework for incorporating sustainability into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's principles and decision making. click here

 

Transforming Landscapes, Transforming Lives: The Business of Sustainable Water Buffer Management   Free online,  this book focuses on  the development of water buffers, sustainable land management,and the business case underneath these technologies.

 

Model Water Recycling in Australia traces Australia's history in maximizing water recycling opportunities  Click here to access the paper in the journal "Water."   This additional website  is devoted to recyled water in Australia. 

 

The Western States Water Council has adopted a vision on water at their October 2011 meeting. Summary information is provided in the attached.  Of particular interest are the five main points:  Click here for the document.  

 

Water-born Guinea Worm Eradicated in Ghana,  
$31 million now available to support the continued campaign.
Announcement in Wall Street Journal  
 
A new study "Trace-Elements and Radon in Groundwater Across the U.S.1992-2003" was released in August. For more information, go to 
USGS finds new SPAtially Reference Regression On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) models target areas for water quality improvements.  Findings are available through the October  online and paper version of JAWRA (the Journal of the American Water Resources Association). 

Drinking water audits recommended by GAO The US General Accounting Office has concluded that reliable data quality impedes EPA's ability to monitor and report progress towards a reduction in the exposure of contaminants.

 
 
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Non-AWRA Calls for Abstracts

 

World Water Week

Stockholm

August 26-31, 2012

Submit Abstracts for Workshops and Event Proposals by February 15, 2012  

 

 

34th Session of the International Geological Congress

 Brisbane, Australia

August 2012

Submit abstracts by February 17, 2012  

Non-AWRA Conferences & Training Events
    

 

USEPA SWMM & PCSWMM Stormwater Modeling 1 Day Advanced Workshop   

 Toronto, Ontario

 February 21, 2012.  

 
   

International Conference on Stormwater and Urban Water Systems Modeling  

Toronto, Ontario

February 22-23, 2012.   

 

World Water Forum
Marseille, France
March 12-17, 2012

2012 AWWA Sustainable Water Management Conference

Portland, OR  

March 18-21, 2012

 

2012 Indiana Lakes Management Annual Conference

Nashville, IN

March 23-24, 2012 

 

 George Washington University Solar Institute Symposium 

Washington D.C.

April 12, 2012 

   

 NWQMC 8th National Water Monitoring Conference

Water: One Resource -- Shared Effort -- Common Future

Portland, OR

April 30 - May 4, 2012

 

 IWA Congress on Water, Climate and Energy

Dublin, Ireland

May 13-18, 2012  

     

Environmental Restoration of Climate Change 

Tahoe Science Conference   

Incline Village, NV 

May 22-24, 2012 

 

6th National Conference on Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration

 Tampa, Florida

 October 20-24, 2012  

 
 

  

 


AWRA sends this e-newsletter of interesting news and information about water resources to memebers of the American Water Resources Association and others interested in the activities of AWRA.  Connections is a free service of AWRA designed to build community and stimulate discussion and awareness.  Please send any comments or news items to Mary Ashton.  AWRA does not share its email list with any individual or non-AWRA organization, ever.