Environment

Environment

Scenario 1:  Water Balance

1. Provide a summary of the current reserves of the Ogallala.

The Ogallala Aquifer is occupied at the High plains in the United States of America.  The Ogallala is described as the leading geographic formation, and often, it is referred to as the High Plains Aquifer systems. The system is 450 000 square kilometers. The Ogallala is made up of poorly sorted, unconsolidated silt, grave, and even groundwater. It is filled with spaces below the water table and even between the grains (Frankel n.d). The Ogallala was laid about 10 million ago by  Fluvial deposition from the streams flowing eastward from the Rocky mountains in the Pliocene epoch. The Ogallala Aquifer is in the state of an overdraft, and if the withdrawal is unabated, the aquifer is depleted in a  few decades.

2. Provide an estimate of the number of years of water left.

Almost 45 million acres foot decline that exist in Ogallala Aquifer equals to approximately 14.6 million gallons of water for more than 45 years (Frankel n.d). It means that if the average individual in America uses 69 gallons of water daily, the municipal water needs 20 years.

3. Provide a plan on how to reduce consumption or increase efficiency for each of the categories below. Your answer needs to be a minimum of one page (single space) with one-inch margins. Put your selection at the top of the page.

Domestic use

Reducing consumption of water at homes is done by not allowing the water to run needlessly as one washes dishes, hands, or even brushes the teeth. Individuals can also repurpose water and use all of it for the right purposes (Trinchera 613). An individual can also reduce the number of times he or she flushes the toilet.

Agricultural Use

Farmers capture and store water as a  way of saving it. The farmers can capture water and even store it as a  way of minimizing wastage of the water (Trinchera 613). They have also grown drought-resistant crops, which do not require a  lot of water for them to survive. The crops help save a   lot of water.

Industrial Use

Non- potable water has been reused in other industrial operations, such as for cooling and even landscaping purposes. Moreover,  water in the industries has been saved by removing water from the cleaning process, especially when a dry alternative is possible (Trinchera 613). Each step in the cleaning procedure has revealed simple opportunities for reducing the consumption of the water.

Inter-basin Transfer

Inter-basin transfer is a   process where water is moved from a watershed with a   donor basin to a  recipient basin (Trinchera 613). The water can be transferred as a  way of preventing water scarcity.

Scenario 2

1. Describe the issue in two paragraphs.

The issue began on Aril 25, 2014.  The officials in Flint switched the water supply from the city to the Glint River. It was viewed to be a cost-cutting measure for the city that had been struggling (Kennedy n.d). Doing this led to the unwitty introduction of lead-poisoned water into their homes. It marked the start of the public- health crisis.

The city hoped to switch the water supply from the Detroit water and sewerage department to the Keragnondi water authority. Before this connection could be built, the city had turned to Flint River as the temporary source. By the month of May, the residents were already complaining that the water flowing into their homes was brown, smelly, and the unit looked weird (Kennedy n.d). However, most of the citizens here were African- Americans and poor, and they were ignored.  In the month of August, Coliform and E.coli bacteria were detected in Flint’s water.

2. Provide the primary drinking water standards for the State of Michigan.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an organization in the United States of America that sets regulations and standards for monitoring as well as treating drinking water in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.  The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) enforce the standards via the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act. Approximately 75% of the residents in Michigan get their water from the sources that have been regulated through the acts above. Moreover, approximately 25% of the residents from Michigan get their water from the small water supplies, such as private wells (Kennedy n.d). These wells have served less than 25 people. However, they are not regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act.

3. Identify three methods for decreasing heavy metal concentrations in drinking water.

Some methods that can decrease heavy metal concentrations in drinking water include ion exchange, chemical precipitation, and adsorption(Kennedy n.d).

4. Articulate a statement that relates to why the City/State is culpable for the problem.

Flint in Michigan experienced the problem due to the existence of high heavy metal concentrations in Flint River, which had started to become the primary water source (Kennedy n.d).

5. Provide and explain at least three alternatives that would allow the officials to deliver drinking water within the EPA standards.

The quality of water can be protected by participating in public events. These events could be a powerful vehicle where citizens tell the officials their concerns on the drinking water, and the officials get to understand the intensity of the issue (Kennedy n.d). They can also take part in activities based on monitoring organs to track the condition of the local river and try finding a  solution.  Asides from that, the officials can also take some water and test the amount of impurities in it to get a solution to the issue.

Scenario 3

1. Describe the attitude of the State of Colorado before the recent legislation, as depicted in the article provided. Why do you think they made the previous policy?  Specifically, how will the new law benefit homeowners?

A water right is a right that is given to the people for them to use a certain portion of the public water resources.  The water rights in Colorado were from a source that is a groundwater or surface water that has evolved in the west of America due to scarcity of water. The policy was a way of improving the amount of water in the area for public use (Sustainable world Min 1.25- Min 2.25). The homeowner still has enough water to use in their homes.

2. What is meant by xeriscaping?

Xeriscaping is a form of landscaping or even eliminating the need to have supplemental water from irrigation (Sustainable world Min 1.25- Min 1.57).

3. Summarize a peer-reviewed article that estimates water usage on a traditional residential landscape vs. a xeriscape. Print out the article and attach it to your test

Landscaping is a term that refers to any activity modifying the visible features. Water is used differently in a   traditional residential landscape. To begin with, it is used in gardening to water the plants. It also used in ensuring that the environment is beautiful. For instance, it is used in the swimming pools (Minavi et al. 43). On the other hand, water use in xeriscape is used in eliminating the need to use water for irrigation in the society.

4. What sort of hydrological factors should be considered when considering rainwater harvesting and xeriscaping?

Some of the hydrological factors that are used when considering harvesting water for xeriscaping are the demand of the water. The availability of the water and its demand determines whether rainwater should be harvested for xeriscaping purposes (Minavi et al. 43). Asides from that, the type of xeriscaping that is to be done is also dependent on whether it is necessary to collect rainwater.

5. How might a program like the one you are administering in Santa Fe be different from one administered in San Antonio? Provide specific meteorological differences between the two cities to help explain your answer.

Santa Fe is an area that gets its water from three surface water supplies. They include the watershed, county water rights located on the upper Rio Grande, and even they import water from San Juan. On the other hand, San Antonio has SAWS (San Antonio Water System), which is the largest drinking and sewage utility, and it gets water from Edward Aquifer. A program in Saint Fe is different from that of San Antonio since the main aim of that in Saint Fe is to ensure that the water is enough for all its citizens. It has three options, whether it has to import water, use the watersheds or even use its county water rights. The one in San Antonio is more serious since the area has only one source of water, and alternatives to it should be looked at.

6. Given the population and residences in Santa Fe (you have to identify those), how much water might be saved per year by employing rainwater harvesting and xeriscaping. You may estimate quantities but show you calculation and very clearly identify the numbers you are estimating.

The population in Santa Fe is 84 612 as of the year 2018.  There are has more than 3800 homes. 90- gallons of water are wasted daily. The people can employ xeriscaping and even harvest rainwater as a way if increasing the amount of water annually (Minavi et al. 43).

Scenario 5-Major Egg Producer to Reduce Water Pollution Discharges at Mississippi Facility

1. Provide a narrative that explains the process of eutrophication (in detail, please).

Eutrophication is described as an enrichment of water that is done by the nutrient salts that lead to structural changes to the ecosystem. Some examples of these structural changes include an increase in the production of aquatic plants and algae, depletion of fish, and even a deterioration in the water quality. Eutrophication has been a serious environmental problem that leads to the deterioration of the quality of at (Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. Clean Water Act Settlement n.d). It has also been evident that human activities have accelerated the extent and even the rate of eutrophication. Pond managers have added fertilizers to the water as a  way if enhancing primary productivity. It has also affected the amount of nutrients in the water.

2. How does eutrophication relate to Cal-Maine’s NPDES permit?

The settlement today has been given a  consent decree that has been filed in federal court in the Southern District of Mississippi. The settlement was to resolve alleged violations of Cal- Maine’s clean water Act NPDES permit at the facility.  Cal- Maine discharged pollutants from the production area, and they went to a  creek nearby without NPDES permit authorization. Nitrogen- laden wastewater was applied ion the fields at the facility in the months when the area had winter (Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. Clean Water Act Settlement n.d). This is related to eutrophication since it involves the release of pollutants to the water.  Cal- Maine carried out a  liter of water sampling, record- keeping, and it reported any form of violations.

3. Provide specific information about the way the operation violated the Clean Water Act (look up the industry requirements in 40 CFR 100-149).

Cal- Maine Foods went ahead to discharge pollutants from the production area to a  creek without any authorization.   They were applied to the wastewater on the fields at the facility, especially during the winter months during the period when land application was prohibited. Cal- Maine had also been accused of w committing water sampling, record keeping, and even reporting any forms of violations. This violated the Clean Water, and it promoted water pollution (Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. Clean Water Act Settlement n.d). Its primary objectives are to maintain the physical, chemical, and even the biological integrity of the water. The act has also recognized the responsibilities of the state in addressing pollution. It also provides assistance to the states.

4. This settlement resolves two types of Clean Water Act (CWA) violations: 1) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit violations (i.e., failure to implement buffers/best management practices, failure to comply with a condition prohibiting land application from November to March (add the year), the exceedance of agronomic rates for nitrogen, failure to maintain land application records, failure to conduct stormwater sampling, and failure to submit annual report), and 2) unauthorized discharges of cooling spray condensate comingled with manure, litter, and/or process wastewater from the production area to a tributary of Bakers Creek.

Provide a narrative about how the underlined portion of the paragraph above contributes to eutrophication and over-applying nutrients beyond TMDL guidelines.

NPDES violations lead to the overabundance of nutrients in the environment. They can lead to eutrophication by releasing the nutrients to the water bodies leading to the growth of plants (Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. Clean Water Act Settlement n.d). Stormwater sampling is very critical, and failure to this may lead to dense growth of plants in the water.

Why do you think the land application records, stormwater sampling, and unauthorized discharges were cited?  (Be specific and provide some reasoning behind your answer!).

Stormwater sampling was done, and the discharge was done in an unauthorized manner. These were cited since they did not help solve the issue of eutrophication since the authorities did not understand the importance of ensuring that the water was free from impurities.

Why were there provisions related to the application of litter from November to March?  (think, think, think ).

The provisions of the application letter were that the industry could not release nutrients to the water as a  way of protecting the aquatic animals. It could also protect the water and make it safe for human consumption.

Scenario 7- Crop or livestock (or both) on hilly land

1. What questions do you need to ask to calculate soil loss on the property under the current management plan (assume livestock)? What additional information do you need to determine the effects of row crop agriculture?

In calculating soil loss, once needs to ask him the soil erodibility factor, conservation practice factor, and even the topographic factor (Baiyeri et al. 557). The effects of row crop agriculture are determined by the amount of produces the farmer gets and the quality of the produce.

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of CRP? (You may have to do some research)

Some advantages of crop row production include it in decreases crop yield, soil fertility, soil nutrients, and it reduces soil erosion. Contrarily, CRP also has disadvantages such as the improper implementation causes more harm than good, and it also involves risk.

3. Provide the farmer (me) with a list of the long-term effect to his soil for his options. This might best be provided in a table.

4. Explain how soil properties might affect his yield.

The soil in hilly lands has a low water-holding capacity, and it could not support crops.  The land supports grasses and shrubs, and livestock can thrive well in this land. The soil is also considered to be infertile in supporting crops.

5. Provide some narrative on how land use might influence wind and water erosion and suggest ways to minimize the erosional processes.

Land use may influence the wind and water erosion. If the land is left bare, water erosion could occur. Water erosion is the detachment of soil through melting ice, rainfall, and even a run-off (Baiyeri et al. 582). When the land is used more, the speed of the wind is decreased, but if it is bare, the speed of the wind is fast

5. How do you make a choice between the different considerations and alternatives provided on page 2?

Making a choice on the considerations is based on the effect of each of them on the land and the benefits of them.

6. Provide a narrative for the farmer explaining why ‘good’ management does not always generate the greatest short-term profit. What are the considerations that influence this?

Good management does not always generate short-term profit. The reason is that the land can be managed well, but it may not generate a high produce at first. Thus, the profits are recorded for a   long- term (Baiyeri et al. 580). The considerations influencing this are the climate, type of soil, and even the pests and disease infestations in an area.

Mandatory Final Question Answer Sheet

1. Socio-economic

In this case, the term socioeconomic means the factors that affect people’s social class as well as their financial situation (Nagourney & Jack n.d).

2. Three major uses for water and definition of each
3. Agriculture- It is the science or even art of cultivation of crops
4. Recreation- These are the activities that people carry out for enjoyment purposes.
5. Thermoelectricity- it is the electricity that is produced by a direct action of heat.
6. policy

A policy is described as a system of principles that guide the decisions that people make to achieve rational outcomes. In most cases, a policy is also a statement of intent, and it is implemented as a protocol or even procedure (Nagourney & Jack n.d).

4. P. 465

Issue Assessment

The issue is that fear has been gripping the west, and there has also been the issue of rationing of the water. The price of the water has also been on the rise in California (Nagourney & Jack n.d).

Policy Assessment

Drought has been present in the area, and still, when the water is abundant, it is not enough for most of the people to use. There has been a Sharp economic divide among the people in the state.

Policy Design

The state can come up with different ways of nursing that the people get access to water. For instance, they can embark on collecting rainwater and even digging well. Before the drought, the people can start an initiative to harvest rainwater. Wells will help the people get access to water even during the period of the drought/.

Organization Assessment

The people can play the role of volunteers in the digging of the wells. It will help them during the drought period and even before then, since they will never lack water. It will also help in reducing the price of the water (Nagourney & Jack, n.d).

5. List of Issues

The issue is that there is an increase in the water bills, water is unavailable to all the people, and the area has been stricken by drought.

6. Process

The solutions to the problem are first by understanding what the problem m is and what people think about it. The other is looking at the things that have already been done to solve this problem and how they have been successful (Nagourney & Jack n.d).  The solution is then reached to ensure that the problem does not repeat itself.

7. Formalization and Implementation

The final policy will be finalized and implemented by the state’s government. However, all the parties that are involved with the water sector will have to be looked at.

8. Watershed Framework

A watershed management framework could be used in looking at the sustainable distribution of resources in California state and the process o creating, and implementing plans and projects that will help in sustaining the functions of the watershed (Nagourney & Jack n.d). It will help in the conservation of the plants, sol oil, and the water resources.

9. Alternatives

 The strategy can be implemented through sensitization of the public to ensure they understand more about the policy and its consequences.

10. Economic Information

Economic information based on sources of water in the area, price of the water, and their abundance could be important.

Works Cited

Baiyeri, Paul K., et al. “Crop-Livestock Interaction for Sustainable Agriculture.” Innovations in Sustainable Agriculture, 2019, pp. 557-582.

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. Clean Water Act Settlement. US EPA, 23 Jan. 2020, www2.epa.gov/enforcement/cal-maine-foods-inc-clean-water-act-settlement.

Frankel, J. “Crisis on the High Plains: The Loss of America’s Largest Aquifer – the Ogallala.” University of Denver Water Law Review at the Sturm College of Law, 17 May 2018, https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=Ogallala+Aquifer

Kennedy, M. “Lead-Laced Water In Flint: A Step-By-Step Look At The Makings Of A Crisis.” NPR.org, 20 Apr. 2016, www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/04/20/465545378/lead-laced-water-in-flint-a-step-by-step-look-at-the-makings-of-a-crisis.

Minavi, H., et al. “Investigation on Morpho-physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Three Common Turfgrasses in Xeriscaping.” Arid Biome, vol. 7, no. 2, 2017, pp. 43-56

Nagourney, Adam, and Jack Healy, Jack. “Drought Frames Economic Divide of Californians.” The Washington Informer, 27 Apr. 2015, www.washingtoninformer.com/drought-frames-economic-divide-of-californians/.

Trinchera, Alessandra, and Valentina Baratella. “Use of a Non-Ionic Water Surfactant in Lettuce Fertigation for Optimizing Water Use, Improving Nutrient Use Efficiency, and Increasing Crop Quality.” Water, vol. 10, no. 5, 2018, p. 613.

Sustainable world. YouTube, 2008, Min 1.25- Min. 9.00 www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iQ-FBAmvBw.