Science of Water : Concepts and Applications

22 The Science of Water: Concepts and Applications
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Water rights and permits
Infrastructure
Population growth
Water resources planning, including
i. Consideration of the watershed as an integrated system
ii. Planning as a foundation for, not a reaction to, decision making
iii. Establishment of dynamic planning processes incorporating periodic review and
redirection
iv. Sustainability of projects beyond construction and early operation
v. A more interactive interface between planners and the public
vi. Identifi cation of sources of confl ict as an integral part of planning
vii. Fairness, equity, and reciprocity between affected parties
WATER QUALITY IMPACT
Generally, water quality of a typical river system is impacted by about 60% nonpoint pollution, 21%
municipal discharge, 18% industrial discharge, and about 1% sewer overfl ows. Of the nonpoint pollution,
about 67% is from agriculture, 18% urban, and 15% from other sources.
Land use directly impacts water quality. The impact of land use on water quality is clearly
evident in Table 2.1.
From the waterworks operator point of view, water quality issues for nutrient contamination can
be summarized quite simply:
1. Nutrients + algae = taste and odor problems
2. Nutrients + algae + macrophytes + decay = trihalomethanes (THM) precursors
WATERSHED PROTECTION AND REGULATIONS
The Clean Water Act (CWA) and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) reauthorization addresses
source water protection. Implementation of regulatory compliance requirements (with guidance
provided by the U.S. Department of Health) is left up to the state and local health department offi -
cials to implement.
Water protection regulations in force today not only provide guidance and regulation for watershed
protection but they also provide additional benefi ts for those tasked with managing drinking
water utilities.
TABLE 2.1
Land Use That Directly Impacts Water Quality
Source Sediment Nutrients
Viruses,
Bacteria THM Fe, Mn
Urban x x x x x
Agriculture x x x x x
Logging x x x x
Industrial x x x x
Septic Tanks x x x
Construction x x
Source: From Spellman, F.R., The Handbook for Wastewater Operator Certifi cation, CRC Press,
Boca Raton, FL, 2001.