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AbstractThis paper summarizes some of the key issues which have been considered in developing proposals for a scheme of classifying river quality for the purpose of setting water quality objectives on a statutory basis. Particular attention is given to (a) the relationship between use‐related and general water quality targets, (b) the role of biological assessment, and (c) the requirements of EC directives. Following widespread consultation on the proposals, it was concluded that a clear distinction should be made between sets of 'use classes'which would serve to set statutory water quality objectives (SWQOs) and a general quality assessment scheme which would be applied independently to assess trends and general progress over a period of time. Once the classification scheme has been established by the Secretaries of State through regulations, SWQOs will be introduced to river stretches in a number of 'pilot'catchments across England and Wales, following local consultation. The setting of SWQOs will provide the focus for local decision‐making on what the appropriate level of water quality should be – taking into account the desired uses of rivers, what will be required to achieve them, and the associated costs.

AbstractSince the end of the Cold War, facilities that were part of our nation's nuclear weapons complex are shifting from production of bombs to cleanup of wastes and reuse of lands and facilities no longer needed for bomb‐making activities. This shift will necessitate a new style of planning that must include the understanding that on‐site land uses can have a great impact on off‐site land uses and planning in the larger regions where these facilities are located. This article explains the need to place land use planning at Department of Energy (DOE) sites into a larger regional planning context by drawing on the example of recent research conducted by the authors at the Savannah River Site. A study of written plans that have been developed and interviews with planners and local officials showed that future uses will have a great impact on communities and that constructive planning initiatives are needed to build the trust necessary for DOE to enter a public dialogue about the risks and benefits of alternative land use scenarios.

Complex spatio-temporal environmental problems call for an integrated assessment of environmental systems due to their interdisciplinary nature. Within this context, the approach of integrated water resource management (IWRM) at the catchment scale, which is at the heart of advanced European environmental policy such as the water framework directive (WFD), argues for integrated modelling tools and approaches. This paper examines recent technological developments that facilitate integrated modelling and focuses on a novel approach, the open modelling interface (OpenMI), which allows models built by different developers to communicate at runtime. The individual models, when made compliant with the OpenMI standard, can be considered as 'components' of an integrated model and seamlessly exchange data. Two OpenMI-enabled integrated modelling case studies are presented and their results critically discussed. The paper concludes with opportunities and challenges towards the design of flexible, component-based models supporting integrated environmental policy in general and the WFD implementation in particular.

Diese Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit Aerial Rivers ("luftgetragenen Flüssen"), den bevorzugten Wegen des Flusses von Feuchte in der Atmosphäre. Ziel ist es, die Voraussetzung für deren Integration in aktuelle Paradigmen der Wasserwirtschaft zu schaffen. Im Mittelpunkt der Arbeit stehen Amazonien und die angrenzenden Gebiete, also Regionen der Erde, in denen sich derzeit der Landnutzungswandel mit am schnellsten vollzieht. Aus theoretischer Sicht wird das Wissen über die Verbindung zwischen Aerial Rivers und Oberflächenflüssen erweitert. Mit Hilfe eines Algorithmus zur Verfolgung des atmosphärischen Feuchtigkeitstransports werden die Auswirkungen von entferntem Landnutzungswandel in Windrichtung auf die Niederschlagsmenge einer Zielregion quantifiziert. Die räumliche Heterogenität des Einflusses der gesamten Quellevapotranspirationsfläche (precipitationsehed) auf die/den empfangene/n Niederschlagsmenge/Oberflächenabfluss der Zielregion wird untersucht und führt zur Identifizierung der "Most Influential Precipitationshed" (MIP), der für Managementzwecke relevantesten Teilfläche. Ein Aerial River-Managementbeispiel für Santa Cruz (Bolivien) zeigt, dass die strategische Wiederaufforstung im MIP sowohl die Niederschlagsmenge als auch den empfangenen Oberflächenabfluss erhöht und 22%-59% des zukünftigen Wasserbedarfszuwachses einer schnell wachsenden Stadt decken kann. Weiterhin werden sozio-technische Regime entlang von Aerial Rivers, die zu Extremereignissen wie Megadürren beitragen können, mit Hilfe der sozialwissenschaftlichen Methode der Multi-Level-Perspektive (MLP) untersucht. Ursachen wie Bodenpolitik und Marktinterventionen in Brasilien und Bolivien steuern weit entfernte kolumbianische Energieregime und deren Wandel. Aerial Rivers sind also zentral für zukünftiges Gewässermangement einschließlich Wasserkraft; ihr Management erfordert jedoch eine ganzheitliche Betrachtung der gesellschaftlichen Schnittstellen über administrative Grenzen und Sektoren hinweg. ; Aerial rivers are the preferential pathways of moisture flows in the atmosphere. They connect the atmosphere, the water system, and the land system. This thesis aims to provide knowledge for integration of aerial rivers into management of these systems. It focuses on Amazonia and adjacent areas, which collectively experience some of the most rapid land use change on the planet. This thesis further develops three key aspects (theoretical, technical, and societal) of knowledge concerning aerial rivers. From a theoretical aspect, it advances the knowledge of connection between aerial rivers and surface rivers. Using a moisture tracking algorithm, the impact from upwind land use change via aerial rivers on target regions' runoff reception is quantified. Spatial heterogeneity in the influence of the precipitationshed on runoff reception of the target region is found, implying a need to determine the most influential precipitationshed (MIP) for management purposes. From a technical aspect, the work demonstrates an aerial river management example for a rapidly growing city. It is shown that strategic reforestation in the MIP can increase both rainfall and runoff reception and secure 22%-59% of a rapidly growing city's future water needs. Finally, the work explores the societal aspect of aerial river management. Socio-technical regimes along aerial rivers contributing to extreme events of mega-drought were traced through the social scientific method of multi-level perspective. It reveals that the source regimes such as land policy and market interventions in Brazil and Bolivia govern remote Colombian energy regimes and their transitions through aerial rivers. These findings show that aerial rivers are relevant and viable options for the development of future water resources - including hydropower - but their management will require a holistic consideration of the various societal interfaces as they cross jurisdictional boundaries and sectors.

Includes bibliographical references. ; 2016 Spring. ; The "boom" in advanced hydraulic fracturing techniques in 2010 caused many concerns and questions among environmental activists, politicians and state and local governments due to the speed and force at which operations began in certain communities. Issues of water contamination from hydraulic fracturing fluids through faulty wells, water consumption, and noise and air pollution quickly manifested in the form of movies (Gasland, FrackNation, TruthLand)) and claimed a role in many political discussions. Although hydraulic fracturing has been around for decades, it was the magnitude of the operations that stemmed concerns among the public. Although natural gas is considered a cleaner fuel source compared to coal and petroleum, this did not stop the pushback it received from environmental activists groups. A range of research on various aspects of hydraulic fracturing has been undertaken to assess the impacts hydraulic fracturing has on the environment in regions across the United States. The current study explores water consumption for hydraulic fracturing in Colorado. This thesis provides a detailed analysis of water used for hydraulic fracturing across a range of scales, including, the state of Colorado, the South Platte basin (which encompasses the Niobrara shale play) and for a county and city experiencing heavy drilling (Weld County and Greeley, CO, respectively). We utilize both the IHS Energy and FracFocus databases and a range of statistical approaches to analyze water consumption for regional wells. In addition, produced water is quantified in order to explore re-use scenarios. This study found that water used for hydraulic fracturing accounted for .24% of the state of Colorado's total 2014 demand, .73% of the basin demand, 2.4% of the county demand and 7% of the city demand. Water used for hydraulic fracturing in 2014 was enough to supply 35% of the population in Weld County. Greeley, CO sold 1,600 AF of water to oil and gas companies for up to $3,500/AF, while farmers typically pay around $35/AF. Water use for agriculture is 85% of the state and county water budget. Produced water totaled 7590 acre-feet in the South Platte, enough to hydraulically fracture 42% of wells drilled within the basin and approximately 1% of the population in 2014 if properly treated. Overall, water use for hydraulic fracturing becomes more significant in the water balance as the scale becomes more local. Additionally, produced water, once properly handled and treated, could be a potential source for water supply to help close the gap in water supply and demand in future years in the basin.

"The amount of water used for irrigation has sharply declined during transition in Bulgaria. Large sections of existing irrigation systems were abandoned, and the ones still in use are barely maintained. Crops such as wheat and barley have replaced more water-intensive crops, including vegetables, rice and maize. This problem has an impact on the future development of agriculture and the allocation of the country's water resources. The central argument is that land fragmentation in the wake of decollectivization and restitution contributes to the irrigation systems' abandonment. This paper concentrates on the institutional factors, but also considers additional factors, that may have influenced the process; further, it examines the causes driving these changes and analyses their effect on irrigation. It is based upon a review of relevant legislation, as well as field work in 17 villages located in the Plovdiv region of Bulgaria. The paper concludes that, in addition to changes in large-scale market forces and weakening of the state enforcement mechanism, institutional settings have contributed to the decline of irrigation in Bulgaria." (author's abstract)

This book shares a strength-based truth-telling model, which reveals the trauma associated with the experience of colonisation and the traditional healing practices specific to the Nauiyu Nambiyu community in Australia. It explores the significance of community placed on developing the 'Ancient University', an Aboriginal-based, stand-alone healing centre that incorporates traditional healing practices. This book outlines the truth-telling model, which was developed by the Nauiyu community to address a community need. This unique approach represents a deliberate shift from decolonial scholarship, which merely captures Indigenous voice speaking back to the colonisers. This book explores Indigenous critical pedagogies to investigate theoretical frameworks with implications for planning, learning and teaching which are culturally responsive in a variety of contexts. It is the first of its kind that utilises an Indigenous research methodology on the country and with the people to which it belongs

Complex spatio-temporal environmental problems call for an integrated assessment of environmental systems due to their interdisciplinary nature. Within this context, the approach of integrated water resource management (IWRM) at the catchment scale, which is at the heart of advanced European environmental policy such as the water framework directive (WFD), argues for integrated modelling tools and approaches. This paper examines recent technological developments that facilitate integrated modelling and focuses on a novel approach, the open modelling interface (OpenMI), which allows models built by different developers to communicate at runtime. The individual models, when made compliant with the OpenMI standard, can be considered as 'components' of an integrated model and seamlessly exchange data. Two OpenMI-enabled integrated modelling case studies are presented and their results critically discussed. The paper concludes with opportunities and challenges towards the design of flexible, component-based models supporting integrated environmental policy in general and the WFD implementation in particular.

Presented at Irrigated agriculture responds to water use challenges - strategies for success: USCID water management conference held on April 3-6, 2012 in Austin, Texas. ; Oakdale Irrigation District (OID) is a 72,345 acre irrigation district located in the northeast foothills and valley floor of the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. In late 2004 OID embarked on the development of a Water Resources Plan (WRP) with a subsequent adoption of the Plan in June 2007. The planning document and subsequent environmental review took nearly two and half years to complete. Oddly enough, the time spent developing the WRP was just about equal to time spent positioning OID to begin the planning process, hence the point of this paper. Water resource planning is not something one should embark upon lightly. It is an expensive process to do correctly; it is demanding in its time and energy commitment from the district; it is politically risky or at best politically challenging, depending on your local situation, if the groundwork is not laid properly. There are a number of elements a General Manager and/or an irrigation district Board of Directors should consider, or be aware of, prior to investing substantially in such a planning effort. Without a good understanding of the critical path elements to get to a successful implementation of the WRP a district could spend a sizable amount of money and staff time on a planning effort that ends up becoming largely un-implementable. This paper will discuss experiences learned at OID regarding its efforts in implementing a successful Water Resources Plan.

AbstractRisk assessment is an effective tool for revealing criticalities across an entire water system. However, standard outputs that report risk at the individual pipe segment level can have limited use for decision support since utilities typically plan for the replacement of aggregated areas to minimize disruption and cost. This research presents a process for aggregating individual pipes into high‐risk clusters. Each cluster is a group of contiguous pipe which, when targeted, will reduce mobilization cost and community disruption. A graph search is first used to locate potential clusters, and then the optimal selection, which maximizes risk capture, is identified. An integer programming model is presented, and the process is implemented on a real system. Empirical trials suggest that the ability to prevent future breaks is not significantly reduced when prioritizing clusters rather than individual pipes. This shows that the proposed method can guide more cost‐efficient planning for pipe replacements.Article Impact StatementA method is presented to identify contiguous clusters of high‐risk individual pipes and optimize their selection for maximum risk reduction.

This paper examines the prospects for the interactive governance of water and land use following an initiative to institutionalise integrated river basin management. Taking an institutionalist perspective it first presents river basin management as a tool for overcoming problems of spatial fit and institutional interplay over water and land use. A case study of the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive in Germany then explores opportunities and requirements for governance in future water management. On the basis of these findings the paper tests the validity of the thesis that the success of EU policy reform depends on the degree of 'fit' with existing institutional structures and practices. ; Peer Reviewed