Water Quality By Stephani Clark, Raphaelita Bishara, Jeff Worthington, and Brittany Willis http://www.unit16.net/tie2pics/ el_rio_grande_1180.jpg
Transcript
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By Stephani Clark, Raphaelita Bishara, Jeff Worthington, and
Brittany Willis
http://www.unit16.net/tie2pics/el_rio_grande_1180.jpg
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Main Points and Common Themes: Sources of Contamination Sources
of Contamination Regulation of Contamination in Water Regulation of
Contamination in Water Depletion of Clean Water Depletion of Clean
Water Surface Water/Ground Water Interaction Surface Water/Ground
Water Interaction
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All components of aquatic ecosystems are integrally connected,
via surface water, groundwater, and other hydrological and
ecological connections (Dernbach, J.C., 2009).
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Effects of Human Activities on SW and GW Interaction:
Agricultural Development Irrigation Systems Agricultural Chemicals
Drainage of Land Surface River Valley Modifications Construction of
Levees Construction of Reservoirs Removal of Natural Vegetation
Atmosphere Modifications Atmospheric Deposition Global Warming
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Chemical Interactions of Ground Water and Surface Water:
Ground-water chemistry and surface-water chemistry cannot be dealt
with separately where surface and subsurface flow systems interact.
The movement of water between ground water and surface water
provides a major pathway for chemical transfer between terrestrial
and aquatic systems. This transfer of chemicals affects the supply
of carbon, oxygen, nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and
other chemical constituents that enhance biogeochemical processes
on both sides of the interface. This transfer can ultimately affect
the biological and chemical characteristics of aquatic systems
downstream (Winter, 2008). Ground-water chemistry and surface-water
chemistry cannot be dealt with separately where surface and
subsurface flow systems interact. The movement of water between
ground water and surface water provides a major pathway for
chemical transfer between terrestrial and aquatic systems. This
transfer of chemicals affects the supply of carbon, oxygen,
nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and other chemical
constituents that enhance biogeochemical processes on both sides of
the interface. This transfer can ultimately affect the biological
and chemical characteristics of aquatic systems downstream (Winter,
2008).
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Coal Mines Coal is a valuable resource used in energy
production Produces $500,000,000 in revenue in the state of New
Mexico every year. Mined in New Mexico and worldwide Can have
serious environmental consequences
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Coal mines as Non-point source Coal mines become non-point
source pollutors if they are not operated, constructed or reclaimed
adequately ( http://www.water.ky.gov/sw/nps/). Precipitation causes
loose sediment to wash into streams with harmful substances
naturally found with coal.
http://www.brentnebeker.org/RaySnow.JPG
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Coal mines as point source Regulated under Coal Mine Point
Source category of CWA Applies to active mines Standards set for
settable solids, heavy metal deposition and pH. So which is it ? No
real consensus. In CWA part 434 as point source, yet treated as a
non- point source also.
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Coal mines as sources of pollution Coal mines affect water
quality in two ways 1. Active mines contribute to changes in pH in
waterways. Erosion Heavy metals 2. Abandoned mines can cause acid
mine drainage and toxicity in surface and ground water. Erosion
Heavy metals
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Active coal mines In New Mexico: Coal mining companies are
required to develop reclamation plans before beginning mining. Coal
mines must pay into abandoned mine regulation fund Established by
Surface Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. Activities regulated
by New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department,
Mining and Minerals Division. emnrd.state.nm.us
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New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department
Coal Mine Regulation Program (CMRP) Involved in regulation,
inspection, enforcement. Developed in 1980s under Surface Mine
Control and Regulation Act (1977). CMRP monitors active mines Mines
get Notice of Violation if they violate any rules Can appeal or fix
problem
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Abandoned Coal Mines No regulations when many abandoned mines
were developed. Abandoned Mine Land Program Partnership of state
agency and Department of Interiors Office of Surface Mining Funded
by Abandoned Mine Restoration Fund Abandoned mine must qualify
under one 0f three criteria
http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/MMD/MMDNotes/fullsize/Story310_DillonCanyon_2006.JPG
Acid Mine drainage Coal occurs with rocks containing sulfide,
commonly pyrite Sulfide exposed to air and water during mining
operations Coal gob, or piles of waste rock, contain sulfide.
Oxidizes in presence of air and water Creates sulfuric acid
Sulfuric acid transports heavy metals to ground and surface water
Poisons plant and animal life creating dead streams
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Acid Mine Drainage. From
www.agf.gov.bc.ca/.../images/acid_mine_fig1.jpg
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Case study: Sugarite gob restoration Located near Raton, NM
Coal mining operations from 1912 to 1942 The Problem: Extensive gob
piles left behind Gob piles had high saline levels, were moderately
acidic, contained heavy metals and were actively eroding; in some
places, channels cut 20 feet deep into gob piles. Eroding into
Chicorica Creek, causing excessive sedimentation and toxicity;
Chicorica Creek is used for trout fishing and downstream
irrigation. In some cases, the gob piles were in contact with the
creek. Chicorica Creek located only 300 feet from the mine entrance
Coal mine waste impacted 22 acres of land
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Sugarite State Park Remediation efforts began when Sugarite
Canyon became a State Park in 1983 New Mexico Abandoned Mine Land
Bureau, under direction of Office of Surface Mining, began
remediation Driving factors: Environmental Water quality Safety
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The goal Reduce acidic runoff Reduce erosion Reduce turbidity
and sedimentation into Chicorica Creek
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The Remediation Plan Main problem was erosion Straw bale
terraces built Compost and fertilizer added to gob clay to make
hospitable for plants Seedlings planted To reduce acidic runoff
Lime incorporated into acidic gob to increase pH From Sugarite
Canyon Reclamation Project Report
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What to do about coal mine pollution? Monitoring active coal
mines for pollutant release can help decrease pollution. Reclaiming
abandoned coal mines Must find a balance between need for coal for
energy production and health of the environment.
http://ecotechdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/coal_pile_620.jpg
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Largest nonpoint source of pollution due to human land use:
AGRICULTURE! Most abundant contaminant = soil Includes manure,
chemical fertilizers and pesticides Fertilizers used on land add
nitrogen and phosphorus thatwash back into the water supply
Pesticides used to control insects wash into water supply
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How do pollutants get into the water system? Usually washed in
due to water itself Rainfall (natural) Irrigation or diversion of
water (human-induced) Can come from point or nonpoint sources
Surface runoff (irrigation or rainfall) flows downhill until it
meets a barrier- such as a body of water Leaching(precipitation or
irrigation) enters soil and can contaminate water table
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New Mexico Environment Department Administered water quality
laws for the state of NM Includes: all waters sitting in or
bordering the state whether it be public, private, surface or
nonsurface Numeric and narrative water quality standards
established by WQCC This includes criteria for toxic pollutants in
water used for irrigation, domestic water supply and livestock
watering
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Water Quality Control Commission Established by NM State Water
Quality Act Adopt comprehensive water quality management programs
Develop continuing planning process Adoption of water quality
standards
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Designated uses for water by NM WQCC Coldwater fisheries
Irrigation (including storage) Livestock watering Fish culture Some
warm water fisheries Wildlife habitat Industrial usage Domestic
uses Municipal uses
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Water Quality Data: Belen 2008
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The Watershed Protection Section Responsible for implementing
nonpoint source management program Implement best management
practices to reduce non-point source pollutants from entering water
Workplans include: watershed association development, riparian area
restoration, spill response, and treatment of abandoned mines
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Nonpoint Source Management Program Principal sources of NPS
pollution in NM include erosion from rangelands and agricultural
activities Currently implementing a dynamic and aggressive program
to reduce human-induced pollutants for non point sources from
entering the water supply Providing education and outreach
activities to promote NPS pollution reduction Working together with
Federal, State, tribal, regional, and local entities.
http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/SWQB/WPS/index.ht ml
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Best Management Practices (under NPSMP) Structural practices:
diversions, temporary sediment basins, animal waste lagoons,
fencing, terraces, and other constructed means of reducing
pollution. Nonstructural practices: resource management techniques-
timing and rate of fertilizer or pesticide application,
conservation tillage methods, livestock grazing rotation, riparian
planting, and upland revegetation.
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Structural BMPs used in southwest -includes Middle Rio Grande
Drain inlet inserts Extended detention basins Biofilters Media
filters Infiltration Largest contributer of bacteria load:
anthropogenic including pets and livestock
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NM Pesticide Control Act Rules for proper application and
disposal of pesticide being used: Only to be applied by a licensed
certified applicator and pesticide to be used must be registered
for use in New Mexico Should be disposed of in permitted waste
disposal sites Any apparatus that has pesticide in it should be
cleaned at waste site or in evaporation ponds so it will not get
into water No pesticide waste shall be disposed of in sewer or
storm drain But pesticides can still be washed into water system by
rain or irrigation runoff
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Classes of Pesticides Insecticides Used to control insect (and
other animal control agents are similar) Persist and remain in
environment for a long period of time-also remain toxic longer Can
enter water system and accumulate in invertebrates, fish, birds,
mammals, humans
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Classes of Pesticides Herbicides Cause disruption or stop
normal plant growth Many characteristics are toxic to fish Can
cause harm to plants found in/near water system-important effects
on food chain
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Classes of Pesticides Fungicides Used to suppress or kill a
variety of microorganisms One of the most common chemicals used
Clearly a danger to pollution due to improper application, storage
and disposal Persistent and remain in environment for a long period
of time Target more than one biological process in target
organisms
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What if people want to use it downstream? Chemical contaminants
in water include Synthetic organic pollutants (pesticides) Lead
(from pipes) Nitrates & Phosphates (fertilizers)
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What if people want to use it downstream? Waterborne diseases
include: bacterial (Salmonella & E.coli) viral (Hep A)
protozoans (Giardia)
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Federal Water Pollution Control Act- 1948 Restore &
maintain chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the
nations waters Establish national policy for prevention, control
and abatement of water pollution Eliminate discharge of all
pollutants in nations navigable waters Achieve an interim level of
water quality that protects fish, shellfish, and wildlife
recreation 1956 -Amendments added to strengthen enforcements: state
consent no longer needed for Federal intervention if health was
endangered
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Safe Drinking Water Act-1974 EPA must establish National
Primary Drinking Water Regulations for contaminants that may be in
water that cause adverse health effects Regulations include Maximum
Contaminant Levels and nonenforceable health goals for each
contaminant found in water
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Safe Drinking Water Act-1974 Maximum Contaminant Level- legal
threshold limit on amount of hazardous substance allowed in
drinking water Establish Maximum Contaminant Levels for more than
80 biological, chemical and radioactive pollutants
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How should we control nonpoint source pollution due to
agriculture? Erosion control to reduce amount of pollutants
entering water system due to runoff Reduce the amount of nutrients
(from fertilizers, manure etc.) that are applied to farmland,
therefore reducing the amount that will be carried by runoff and
into the water system Decrease the amount of chemical pesticide
used to control pest problems, including biological pest
control
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Storm Water Management in Albuquerque
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Is AMAFCA Doing All it Can?
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EPA Waterbody Quality Assessment Report: No TMDL data available
in 2008 Cause of impairment: Escherichia Coli Probable source
groups of impairment: Urban-related runoff/storm water Municipal
discharges/sewage Natural/wildlife
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Sources of Contamination: Bird, dog, human feces Roadway
chemicals Construction chemicals Agricultural chemicals
Domestic/industrial waste
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Source Groups of Contamination: North, south, and other storm
water floodway channels Bernalillo, Rio Rancho, and other point
source sewage discharges Ground water discharges Naturally
occurring events Atmospheric deposition
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Best Management Practices: Storm water wetland areas Wet pond
areas Bioretention areas Permeable concrete Green roofs Rainwater
harvesting Scoop the poop program
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Storm Water Wetland Areas:
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Wet Pond Areas:
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Bioretention Areas:
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Permeable Concrete:
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Green Roofs:
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Rainwater Harvesting:
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Scoop the Poop Program:
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A Quality and Quantity Issue
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Americas Urban Landscape Since World War II Americans have
invested much of their newfound wealth in Suburbia with 80% of
everything in the U.S. being built in the last fifty years. The
Growth of suburbs after WWII was facilitated by the availability of
FHA loans, economic growth, the newly designed highway system along
with the increase in personal car ownership, and the general
ideology of Americans to live away from the troubles of City Life.
Since the beginning of the 21st Century, Americans have not stopped
this development outward into Suburbia, but serious questions,
especially here in New Mexico concerning water, about the
sustainability of this expansion has been increasing.
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Albuquerques Urban Landscape: Rio Rancho Rio Rancho is the
third largest and fastest growing city in New Mexico As of the 2000
census the city population was 51,765 people, and has risen to
75,978 residents as of the 2007 census estimate. The city has a
total area of 73.5 square miles.
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Water in New Mexico Pollution and poorly planned development
has endangered New Mexicos limited water supplies. New Mexicos
water problems are the product of unwise patterns and policies,
lack of conservation, over pumping and excessive river water
withdrawal, inter and intra-basin transfers, development, and
pollution. Rio Rancho receives its water supply primarily from the
Santa Fe Group Aquifer, not from the Rio Grande River.
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Water in New Mexico Cont. Its estimated that about 20 billion
acre feet of water exists in ground water deposits in New Mexico,
only about one quarter of that is considered drinkable and most of
the rest is not readily accessible or cost- effective to recover.
Ground water aquifers, river, and streams are
hydrologically-connected, such that surface water rejuvenates
ground water supplies through leaching, while ground water often
flows into streams in the form of springs.
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Water Policy in New Mexico The rapid growth of communities,
like Rio Rancho, has consequences for New Mexicos limited water
supply. Water policy has simply not kept up with modern needs. As
the population of NM and the greater SW region grew, surface water
became fully appropriated and disputes emerged between states to
determine how much water each state was able to use from each
surface water source. As a result, interstate stream compacts
emerged, dividing up water rights and setting use limits. In total,
New Mexicos water use is guided by eight compacts: the Colorado
River Compact, the Upper colorado River Compact, the Rio Grande
Compact, the Pecos River Compact, the Canadian Compact, the La
Plata Compact, the Animas La Plata Project Compact, and Costilla
Creek Compact.
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From: Aletta Belin, Consuelo Bokum and Frank Titus, Taking
Charge of Our Water Destiny: A Water Management Policy Guide for
New Mexico in the 21st Century, 2002. A fully appropriated water
system in NM means that all surface water is appropriated. So, in
dry years all junior water rights users may not be able to access
water, if that water is required by senior water rights holders.
However, full appropriation quickly becomes overappropriation when
junior users rely on ground water, which is some cases comes from
unmetered and unregulated domestic wells. Drawing on this ground
water means that less water flows at surface levels, and is
therefore unavailable for senior water rights holders. Moreover,
depletion of ground water and the long-term impacts are difficult
to detect immediately, prevent, or remedy once identified.
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Water Policy in NM Cont. This situation leaves the state in a
difficult position. To date, only minimal steps have been taken by
the Office of the State Engineer to address the problem of
impairment of water rights to senior users, because doing so would
mean cutting off water to cities. Water demands continue to
increase, more water is withdrawn from an already delicate and
overworked system than is being introduced, and NM will continue to
risk violating interstate stream compacts. This just furthers the
need to adopt policies and solutions that will balance New Mexicos
water quality and quantity.
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Pollution in NM Water Polluted water affects quantity because
it removes needed water from an already stressed supply.
Unfortunately, both surface and ground water are highly susceptible
to pollution, and once contaminated, these water sources are
difficult to treat. The result is a combination of
artificially-introduced and naturally-occurring contaminants that
make their way into NMs ground and surface water supplies.
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Salinity in NM High salinity is also major problem in parts of
NM. The main sources of the salinity are: agricultural runoff,
industrial practices that require ultra pure water and release
large volumes of saline water, waste water treatment, household
water softeners, and natural sources from rock and soil. This
pollution problem becomes a water scarcity issue when salinity is
above 500 parts per million, which the point at which water is
neither drinkable or usable for irrigation.
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Current Water Solutions Rio Rancho Water Conservations
Ordinances Rio Ranchos comprehensive water reuse strategy
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Rio Rancho Water Conservation Ordinance Ordinance No. 19
Enactment No. 03-022 Adopted by the City on June 25, 2003. This
Ordinance shall address water use recommendations to assist in
reducing the overall per capita water use in the City. Water
conservation measures are encouraged for all privately owned and
government properties.
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Rio Rancho Water Conservation Ordinance The Water Conservation
Ordinance is comprised of three main components: Prohibited Acts
for water waste and fugitive water Time of Day watering
restrictions Water by Request
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Rio Ranchos Comprehensive Water Reuse Strategy From Rio Ranchos
Water Quality Report Spring 2008 This strategy involves the use of
high-quality reclaimed water to supplement the Citys limited
groundwater supply and to minimize the declines of aquifer water
levels. The aquifer recharge demonstration will proceed in two
phases: During Phase 1: potable water from the Citys distribution
system will be injected over a 4-week period at a rate of 1 to 2
million gallons per day (mgd) to evaluate aquifer response.
Injection flow rates, water quality, and water level trends will be
observed in five monitoring wells and an injection well constructed
for the demonstration test. During Phase 2: a high quality
reclaimed water source will be produced using advanced water
treatment techniques. The compatibility of the final recharge water
source with native groundwater will be assessed using water quality
data from the Phase 1 demonstration.
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Possible Water Solutions A clean, reliable supply of water is
vital to the economy, ecology, and quality of life for the state of
New Mexico. There are potential policy solutions that the state can
adopt that will help protect this vital resource.
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Rio Rancho Looks into the Future.... In the Water Quality
Report 2008, Rio Rancho explored New Water Resources Recently a
brackish aquifer was discovered 3,800-feet beneath the Rio Puerco
basin. What does it mean for our water future? Treated water could
be sold to the City of Rio Rancho and its water customers. However,
the final costs are not yet known. Sandoval County is undertaking a
study for domestic consumption using desalinization and new
technologies to remove other contaminants.
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Steps towards a clean, reliable water supply...According to Me
Conserving Our Water Resources: Not overusing but using just
enough. Adopting An Equilibrium Management Strategy: Balancing out
New Mexicos rivers and groundwater water quantity Maintaining Water
Quality: Reducing and Preventing pollution
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A recap: Contamination can come from numerous sources
including: coal mining, agriculture, runoff, anthropogenic and
natural sources. Surface water and ground water are interconnected
systems. So changes in one affect the other. A decrease in water
quality is equivalent to a decrease in water quantity. Policy is
designed to manage water quantity and quality. We all need clean
water!!!
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References Anning, D.W., Bauch, N.J., Gerner, S.J., Flynn,
M.E., Hamlin, S.N., Moore, S.J., Schaefer, D.H., Anderholm, S.K.,
& Spangler, L.E., 2007, Dissolved Solids in Basin-Fill Aquifers
and Streams in the Southwestern United States: U.S. Geological
Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5315, 168 p. Dernbach,
J.C. (2009). Agenda for a Sustainable America. Washington D.C.:
Environmental Law Institute. Winter, T.C., Harvey, J.W., Franke,
O.L., and Alley, W.M., 1998, Ground Water and Surface Water a
Single Resource: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1139.
http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/wqcc/ www.blm.gov
http://entowww.tamu.edu
http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/SWQB/NPS_Management_Plan-1999.PDF
http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/Mmd/AML/SugariteII.htm
http://www.belen-
nm.gov/departments/water_department/CCR_Reports/BelenCCR2008.pdf
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References www.agf.gov.bc.ca/.../images/acid_mine_fig1.jpg
emnrd.state.nm.us National Association of Abandoned Mine Land
Programs. July 2006. Safeguarding, Reclaiming, Restoring.
http://www.onenet.net/~naamlp/index.html (accessed October 2009).
New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department,
Mining and Minerals Division. Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program.
Available at http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/mmd/AML/AMLmain.htm
(Accessed October 2009) New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural
Resources Department, Mining and Minerals Division. Coal Mine
Reclamation Program. Available at
http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/mmd/CMRP.htm (Accessed October 2009)
USEPA. Mid-Atlantic Integrated Assessment: Acid Mine Drainage.
Available at: http://www.epa.gov/maia/html/AMD_issue.html (accessed
October 2009). USEPA. Mid-Atlantic Integrate Assessment: Mining
Operations as Nonpoint Source Pollution. Available at
http://www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/nps/mining/index.htm. (Accessed October
2009) USGS. Mine Drainage Newsletter. Application of the Microbial
and Spectral Reflectances Technique (MAST) to the Identification of
Acid Mine Drainage at Contrary Creek, Louisa County, Virginia.
Number 4. Available at http://mine-
drainage.usgs.gov/archive/contrary.html (Accessed October 2009)
http://nmenv.state.nm.us
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References: Aletta Belin, Consuelo Bokum and Frank Titus,
Taking Charge of Our Water Destiny: Water Management Policy Guide
for New Mexico in the 21st Century, 2002. Fleming, WM & Hall,
GE. Water conservation incentive for New Mexico: Policy and
legislative alternatives. Natural Resources Journal. Volume 40,
Issue 1. Spring 2000 Freilich, Robert H. Smart Growth in Western
Metro Areas. Natural Resources Journal. Summer 2003, Vol. 43, Issue
3, pg 687-702. Huff, G.F. Aquifer composition and the tendency
toward scale-deposit formation during reverse osmosis
dealination-examples from saline ground water in New Mexico, USA.
Desalination Volume 190, Issue 1-3, pg 235-242. Kunstler, James H.
The Geography of Nowhere: The Rise and Decline of Americas Man-Made
landscape. Free Press; Later printing edition. July 26, 1994. Rio
Rancho Water Quality Report-Spring 2008.
http://www.ci.rio-rancho.nm.us/Archive.aspx? ADID=346 Tidwell,
Vincent, Howard Passell, Stephen Conrad, and Richard Thomas. System
dynamics modeling for community-based water planning: Application
to the Middle Rio Grande. Aquatic Sciences-Research Across
Boundaries. Volume 66, Number 4. November 2004. pg357- 372