18th annual student world water forum
TRANSCRIPT
18th Annual Student
World Water Forum November 17th—18th
Welcome to the 18th Annual
Student World Water Forum!
Water is humankind’s most essential resource and influences all aspects of life on the
planet. Since 2003, the Student World Water Forum has been an event for students –
both undergraduate and graduate alike – to present their work, share ideas, and
collaborate with others on water issues. The Forum also serves as a venue for students
to gain public speaking experience, as well as receive critique on their presentations from
evaluators on campus and throughout the community. It is our hope that the Forum will
raise awareness of local, regional, national, and global water issues, and will act as a
catalyst for future developments in our community and around the world.
Thank you for joining us this year!
Organized by:
Junli Wang | Environmental Engineering
Mingrui Song | Environmental Engineering
Noel Vineyard | Geography
James Phillips | Hydrologic Sciences
Kate Berry | Geography
Thank you to our professional evaluators for dedicating time and effort
toward the success of the SWWF 2021
Mr. Ellis Antuñez, Truckee Meadows Community College (retired)
Mr. Vahid Behmaram, Washoe County
Mr. Eric Berg, Atkins Engineering
Ms. Bunny Bishop, Nevada Division of Water Resources
Dr. Douglas Boyle, UNR Department of Geography
Mr. Steve Bradhurst, Central Nevada Regional Water Authority (retired)
Dr. Shayne Del Cohen, Independent Consultant
Ms. Marianne Denton, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
Mr. Tom Dilts, UNR Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science
Mr. John Enloe, Truckee Meadows Water Authority
Dr. Jia Feng, UNR Department of Geography
Ms. Sonia Folsom, Truckee Meadows Water Authority
Dr. Louis Forline, UNR Department of Anthropology
Dr. Mae Gustin, UNR Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science
Ms. Chelsey Hand, Great Basin Resource Watch
Ms. Lisa Holan, Mountain Area Preservation
Dr. Ahmad Itani, UNR Office of Research & Innovation
Ms. Jasmine Kleiber, Nevada Department of Wildlife
Dr. Elizabeth Koebele, UNR Department of Political Science
Ms. Geraldine McCarroll, City of Sparks (retired)
Dr. Maureen McCarthy, UNR Tahoe Science Consortium
Dr. Glenn Miller, UNR Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science (emeritus)
Mr. Tim Minor, Desert Research Institute
Mr. Jon Mittelstadt, National Weather Service
Ms. Tina Nappe, independent Nevada environmentalist
Mr. Ben Peterson, McGinley & Associates
Dr. Jerry Qualls, UNR Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science (emeritus)
Dr Bill Rowley, UNR Department of History (emeritus)
Dr. Laurel Saito, Nature Conservancy
Dr. Mary Siders, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
Dr. Loretta Singletary, UNR Cooperative Extension
Mr. Chris Smallcomb, National Weather Service
Dr. Lisa Stillings, US Geological Survey
Ms. Julie Stoughton, UNR Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science
Mr. Adam Sullivan, Nevada Division of Water Resources
Ms. Lydia Teel, Truckee Meadows Water Authority
Dr. Aleksey Telyakovskiy, UNR Department of Mathematics & Statistics
Dr. Scott Tyler, UNR Department of Geological Sciences & Engineering
Dr. Kirsten Vandermolen, Desert Research Institute
Dr. Richard Vineyard, Nevada Department of Education (retired)
Dr. Laura Wilhelm, Truckee Meadows Community College
Mr. Mervin Wright, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Government
Please conduct reviews of poster presentations online
Keynote Presentation In conjunction with the Geography Department
Dr. Denielle Perry Assistant Professor | Northern Arizona University
Protecting and Restoring Rivers to Advance Social Equity and Ecological
Sustainability: From Practice to Pedagogy
Wednesday, November 17th, 2021, from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Zoom meeting ID: 889 9642 6329
https://unr.zoom.us/j/88996426329
Please visit unrwater.com for more information
Denielle Perry obtained her Ph.D. in Geography at the University of Oregon and MS in Geography from
UNR. She is a water resource geographer and director of the Free-flowing Rivers Lab in the School of
Earth and Sustainability at Northern Arizona University. Her research largely focuses on policies that
influence both the development and protection of riverine resources. She is particularly interested in
how conservation policies can be used as climate adaptation policy as well as for re-Indigenizing water
governance. She conducts fieldwork across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, and serves as Co-Chair of
the international Durable River Protections Coalition.
Schedule of Events
Wednesday, November 17th
4:00-5:00 p.m. – Keynote Presentation
Zoom meeting link: https://unr.zoom.us/j/88996426329
Zoom meeting ID: 889 9642 6329
Thursday, November 18th
8:00 a.m.-5:15 p.m. – Student Poster Presentations
Zoom meeting link:
https://unr.zoom.us/j/87802234681?pwd=RXRhSS9GWkdzUW9zN
mtrRlNaQ2lVQT09
Zoom meeting ID: 878 0223 4681
Passcode: 023542
Technical Session Schedule:
Session 1: Water Infrastructure – 8:00-8:30 a.m.
Natasha Adams
Madison Hutchinson
Benjamin Khoh
Olivia Tahti
Paola Miramontes Gonzalez
Break from 8:30-8:45 a.m.
Session 2: Water Security – 8:45-9:15 a.m.
Julia Mason
Abby Olsen
Anna Scudder
Ashlyn Tanghal
Leah Madison
Break from 9:15-9:30 a.m.
Session 3: Water Justice – 9:30-10:00 a.m.
Dawson Frost
Erik Kregel
Kate Miller
Nour Sarsangi
Zach Williams
Break from 10:00-10:15 a.m.
Session 4: Irrigation & Agriculture – 10:15-10:45 a.m.
Tyler Coulson
Bethany Devault
Ashley Gillam
Eileen Lavelle
Break from 10:45-12:00 p.m.
Session 5: Water Governance – 12:00-12:30 p.m.
Josh Foster
Lea Gifford
Megan McLeroy
Noel Vineyard
McKenna Wickware
Break from 12:30-12:45 p.m.
Session 6: Water Quality – 12:45-1:15 p.m.
Lillian Dailey
Rosey Downey
Valerie Pihen
Lauren Pavilionis
Ciara Scalia-Hirschman
Break from 1:15-2:30 p.m.
Session 7: Water Hazards – 2:30-3:00 p.m.
Brenda Aguilar
Evan Hartshorn
Michael Sprinkle
Claudia Pighetti
Chase Vigue
Break from 3:00-3:15 p.m.
Session 8: Drinking Water – 3:15-3:45 p.m.
Lauren Bartels
Ryan Harer
Alison Hinkle
James Phillips
Break from 3:45-4:00 p.m.
Session 9: Water & Weather – 4:00-4:30 p.m.
Lars Anderson
Alexia Hunter
Zac Martines
Paige Land
Break from 4:30-4:45 p.m.
Session 10: Groundwater – 4:45-5:15 p.m.
Cade Billingsley
Christopher Draeger
Jerra Hinson
Alexandra Lee-Sang
Tricia Reimer
All student posters and abstracts can be found here
Please conduct reviews of poster presentations at
https://unr.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_08HwhyInPUH1VOK
Session 1 – Water Governance
8:00-8:30 a.m.
Natasha Adams | Undergraduate | Applied Mathematics
Tensions Rise in East Africa as the Completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance
Dam Presents Problems for Nations Downstream
To help solve issues relating to a lack of energy infrastructure, some developing nations are turning to hydropower, and
Ethiopia is a leader with their construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile. However, other nations
downstream on the Nile are facing different types of water scarcity and insecurity depending on the way that Ethiopia
decides to fill the dam. This paper attempts to analyze the best and worst scenarios for many Sudanese and Egyptians who
rely heavily on the Nile, and to examine the way that a few filling scenarios could impact the fragile relationships between
Ethiopia and downstream states. Researchers are examining the ways that a particularly fast or slow fill could impact those
who depend on the Nile, and their research can be used to predict the outcomes environmentally and politically depending
on what is decided by Ethiopia. Increasing the pace at which the dam is filled will result in power being generated sooner
and Ethiopia will begin to see a return on its investment. However, this will cause a decrease in the flow rate of the Nile for
the period of time it takes to fill the dam, and it will jeopardize the food security of millions living in Egypt and Sudan who
are dependent on the Nile for irrigation. The dam and its hydropower generation have become a regional transboundary
water issue which not only involves African countries but is tied to broader geopolitical concerns as a result of foreign
investment and interests. To help solve issues relating to a lack of energy infrastructure, some developing nations are turning
to hydropower, and Ethiopia is a leader with their construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile.
However, other nations downstream on the Nile are facing different types of water scarcity and insecurity depending on the
way that Ethiopia decides to fill the dam. This paper attempts to analyze the best and worst scenarios for many Sudanese
and Egyptians who rely heavily on the Nile, and to examine the way that a few filling scenarios could impact the fragile
relationships between Ethiopia and downstream states. Researchers are examining the ways that a particularly fast or slow
fill could impact those who depend on the Nile, and their research can be used to predict the outcomes environmentally
and politically depending on what is decided by Ethiopia. Increasing the pace at which the dam is filled will result in power
being generated sooner and Ethiopia will begin to see a return on its investment. However, this will cause a decrease in the
flow rate of the Nile for the period of time it takes to fill the dam, and it will jeopardize the food security of millions living in
Egypt and Sudan who are dependent on the Nile for irrigation. The dam and its hydropower generation have become a
regional transboundary water issue which not only involves African countries but is tied to broader geopolitical concerns as
a result of foreign investment and interests.
Madison Hutchinson | Undergraduate | Environmental Science
Habitat Fragmentation Associated with the Three Gorges Dam
China is home to the largest hydroelectric dam in the world, Three Gorges Dam. This dam has produced an average annual
energy output of 84.7 TWh and was built to control flooding of the Yangtze River, while also providing a cleaner source of
energy. The magnitude of this dam has directly been connected to several environmental problems along Yangtze River,
the biggest of which has been fragmentation within the river’s ecosystem. In this poster, I discuss the environmental impacts
caused by this habitat fragmentation of Three Gorges Dam. This is relevant considering some other countries want to build
their own mega-dams to fully exploit their water resources. Looking at China’s current hydroelectric mega dam provides an
example of how other countries potential mega-dams could affect their ecosystem.
Benjamin Khoh | Undergraduate | Geography & Environmental Science
Measuring the Efficacy of the Sfax Wastewater Treatment Plant Using Remotely
Sensed Chlorophyll-A Concentration Data
The Mediterranean Sea is an inland, salty sea that sits in between the continents of Africa and Europe. The sea itself is
recognized by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as the second most important region for biodiversity
as it supports over 6000 species of flora and fauna in its waters. However, with a population of 450 million people and
growing on its shores, the diversity of the Mediterranean is in danger. Among many other human pollutants, municipal
wastewater contributes to eutrophication which can lead to the endangering and eventual extinction of many of the
Mediterranean’s most vulnerable species. One of the defenses against pollution many cities use across the world are
wastewater treatment plants, which decrease the presence of foreign substances in municipal water before it is discharged.
Understanding the effectiveness of these plants is key in protecting the Mediterranean. Utilizing NASA’s MODIS sensor, we
can track concentrations of Chlorophyll-A, which is overabundant in the presence of untreated wastewater. This study will
focus on the wastewater treatment plant in Sfax, Tunisia, constructed in 2004, and will conduct a longitudinal study
comparing the before and after concentrations to measure its effectiveness.
Olivia Tahti | Undergraduate | Civil & Environmental Engineering
Still Water in Coal Run
A neighborhood in Ohio was neglected running water from 1956 to 2005. These residents couldn’t use groundwater for
potable water because Coal Run was a mining neighborhood, and the water had extremely high sulfur concentrations. Many
of these residents would build their own underground cisterns, most of which were not up to health codes and easily became
unsafe to use. Coal Run is a neighborhood outside of Zanesville, Ohio and is a primarily African American community. The
local government continued to build new water lines around and past Coal Run into primarily white neighborhoods. Jerry
Kennedy, who was born in Coal Run said, “ it was about being surrounded by people with city water and not being allowed
to hook into it for years and years.” Through to work of Cynthia Hairston and the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, a lawsuit
was filed claiming racial discrimination. Less than two weeks later, the local government drew up plans to extend the pipeline.
Unfortunately, the local municipality denied racial discrimination and claimed that “Coal Run's lack of water was due to a
lack of demand… its residents didn't go through the correct procedures to request it.” I am of the firm belief that the local
government should have been actively seeking out issues such as this one in order to remedy them, instead of their passive,
reactionary approach to the issue. Coal Run should have had running water all along, but the issue should have been
remedied long before a legal complaint was issued.
Paola Miramontes Gonzalez | Undergraduate | Environmental Science &
Biology
The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network: Gathering
Precipitation Data
This poster serves as an informational guide on the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) as
well as a way to communicate the importance of citizen involvement in daily precipitation collection and condition
monitoring. CoCoRaHS works with citizens throughout the country to gather information about daily precipitation and
significant weather patterns. Participants of all ages are able to volunteer in submitting precipitation observations by
installing a rain gauge outside their home and then reporting their measurements to CoCoRaHS. CoCoRaHS observers in
Nevada are concentrated in two areas and there is need for observers in areas that are sparsely populated. In particular,
increasing the number of observers in this region would enhance knowledge of water availability and give insight on drought
conditions in Nevada. Precipitation can vary throughout the year and from region to region, therefore, it is important to
monitor weather conditions and the impact that precipitation levels have on the environment.
Session 2 – Water Security
8:45-9:15 a.m.
Julia Mason | Undergraduate | Environmental Science
How Does Climate Change Affect the Freshwater Aquaculture and Management
Strategies in Bangladesh?
Climate change is a threat that many countries are struggling to deal with. In Bangladesh, freshwater aquaculture is very
important to the economy and to the people, with fish being the second most valuable agricultural crop in Bangladesh.
However, with Bangladesh ranking seventh among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, according to the Global
Climate Risk Index, this could increase the risks to aquaculture from drought, including increased salinity levels that would
harm aquaculture. These, among other impacts, are cause for concern among fish farmers and local farming communities
that are struggling with food insecurity. In this project, I examine the risks the people of Bangladesh face and how climate
change will affect the country's aquaculture industry now and in the future. I also examine mitigation measures that offer
the potential for long-term protection of water quality and aquaculture operations.
Abby Olsen | Undergraduate | Environmental Science
The Impacts of Water Quality and Human Health from E-waste Recycling: A Case
Study from Guiyu, China
This paper examines the impacts that e-waste recycling has had on freshwater sources in Guiyu, China because of
contaminated runoff. Guiyu, China is a traditional rice-growing village in southeastern China. This site was turned into an
electronic waste recycling site, leading to high amounts of toxic chemicals seeping into groundwater, surface water, and soil
water. Since these chemicals have led to the contamination of groundwater, there has been a high contamination rate of
water consumed by humans, such as water used from reservoirs, water used for fishing, and water used for agricultural use.
For more than 20 years Guiyu, China has been one of the leaders in e-waste recycling, but this has come with significant
health risks for the people who live there, such as cataracts, kidney and liver damage, and jaundice, as well as cancer. The
main source of these contaminants is polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which come from electronics and seep into
water runoff and get carried away by the freshwater sources around Guiyu, such as the Lian River. The people of Guiyu are
highly reliant on water for their food production, such as rice-growing and fishing, and contaminated water sources from e-
waste recycling significantly deplete these resources and the residents' quality of life. By understanding the studies done on
this issue, we can better understand the connection between e-waste recycling, water, and human health issues.
Anna Scudder | Undergraduate | Environmental Science & NevadaTeach
Does Mongolia Need Our Help?
What are the major factors contributing to lake loss on the Mongolian Plateau? The Mongolian Plateau is made up of the
Inner Mongolia of China and the Republic of Mongolia. Lakes are one of the biggest resources for neighboring communities.
In order for them to survive, they almost completely rely on these lakes. Unfortunately, after decades of climate change and
intensive human activities, lakes have been shrinking. There were almost eight hundred lakes in the Mongolian Plateau and
by 2010 it went down to 577. Mongolian scientists studied the shrinkage of these lakes, starting by looking at the lakes and
how much water they were losing per kilometer. They also found through statistical analysis that precipitation is a huge
driver for the shrinking lakes. One of the possible causes of lake shrinkage is mining. In Mongolia, they dig for a variety of
different minerals like coal, gold, and even copper. The problem with mining is that it kicks up a lot of sulfuric acids, killing
off fish and other wildlife. Another possible issue is agricultural irrigation as there are a lot of fields and farms in Mongolia,
meaning there are a lot of sprinkler systems, crop production, and pasture production. What this means for the communities
is less access to water and there are a lot less fish.
Ashlyn Tanghal | Undergraduate | Forest Management & Ecology
Forests, the Straws of the Earth: Linking Latin American Tropical Montane Cloud
Forests with Water Security
As the progression of climate change and land-use change looms over Latin America so does the risk for challenged water
quantity and quality. Land and water managers as well as regional governments have taken it upon themselves to plan for
these threats to water resources. One of the least explored solutions is found with the conservation and restoration of
tropical cloud forests. This exploration sets the stage for potential nature-based solutions for water management and
exemplifies the importance of forest ecosystem services. This presentation focuses on the tropical montane cloud forests of
Latin America, including case studies from Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico. Through these case studies management of
cloud forests will be looked at as a way of addressing water quality and quantity with Payments for Watershed Services
(PWS) for hydropower, fog precipitation for groundwater recharge, and Payments for Hydrologic Services (PHS) for
downstream users.
Leah Madison | Graduate | Geography
Towards a More Inclusive Drought Plan: A Mixed Methods Needs Assessment
Among Federally Recognized Native American Tribes in Nevada
To inform the revision of the Nevada’s Drought Plan, the University of Nevada, Reno Extension is working to improve access
to drought resources through better communication and inclusion of Nevada’s population. This thesis will support the
information collection for this revision by focusing on outreach to federally recognized tribal groups in Nevada. As droughts
become more frequent, longer and more intense, it falls upon local governments to identify the needs of their populations
during a drought and use that information to mitigate the effects of drought. The 2015 Nevada Drought Forum, designed
to inform the next state drought plan, lacks a detailed management plan, and only focuses on a few water stakeholders,
mainly water managers. A major flaw is that it does not address the needs of the general public or minority populations.
Native American communities, being constrained to their reservation lands and the complicated laws surrounding resource
management, are some of the most vulnerable to major environmental changes. This research aims to answer the question
of what information and support needs exist for Nevada’s tribal populations around drought issues in Nevada, and how
Extension can be used to support information access. To include the representation and perspective of Nevada’s indigenous
stakeholders, guidance will be sought from the Nevada Indian Commission and Intertribal Council to identify tribal groups
to work with.
Session 3 – Water Justice
9:30-10:00 a.m.
Dawson Frost | Undergraduate | Environmental Science & Political Science
Glacial Retreat and Inequality in Peru
Glacial retreat due to anthropogenic climate change is altering water resources in the Peruvian Andes. However, the
consequences reverberate beyond the mountain communities who may come to mind when thinking about this region.
Glacial retreat has increased the variability of runoff in glacier-fed lakes, rivers, and upstream tributaries. Increased runoff
during periods of rapid melt has resulted in flooding, while the decline of glaciers has led to periods of lower than average
flows and diminished water resources. All of this is happening during a period of increased competition among water users
as Peru faces several other challenges to its water resources including population growth, a decline in water quality, the
implementation of new water rules, and the expansion of water-intensive sectors of the economy. These many changes are
having dramatic impacts on social dynamics within Peru. Existing conflicts between traditional water allocation systems that
have been practiced for centuries and relatively recent drives to privatize and relegate the management of water resources
to the realm of experts have only been exacerbated. Additionally, new problems between upstream and downstream users
with the introduction of new infrastructure regimes have reinforced old inequalities. Efforts to address these conflicts and
plan for a future with less runoff from glacial melt have had mixed success and continue to exclude the voices of the most
marginalized. This paper seeks to explore these growing divides and examine how glacial retreat has exacerbated existing
inequalities in Peru.
Eric Kregel | Undergraduate | Geography
Rising Tide: Social Conflicts Between Mines and Rural Communities in Peru Over
Impacts on Local Water Resources
Since the early 2000s, spurred by foreign investments, the country of Peru has been hit by a large mining boom that has
seen it to become of the largest sources of income for the country. Much of the mines in Peru that have been established
since the boom began are situated near rural communities where most of the mineral deposits are. The ensuing interaction
between the mining companies and rural communities have seen an increased level of tension and conflict as local water
resources are impacted by use for the mining operations. This paper seeks to answer how do impacts on water resources
cause social conflicts between mining operations and rural communities as the ability to understand the causes will allow
people to find ways to reconcile the different uses of water so that local water resources are equitably accessible to all water
uses. Peru stands as a one of the largest producers of minerals in Latin America and the implementation of water use
reconciliation will allow for more mineral-rich countries to better reduce the amount of social conflicts that may arise as a
result of mining. To understand the causes of social conflicts between rural communities and mines, I will analyze two case
studies of rural communities having their water resources being impacted by mining operations and the ensuing social
conflicts that arise from it.
Kate Miller | Undergraduate | Environmental Science
Understanding Mexico City Water Scarcity Risks
to Frame Current and Future Solutions
As one of the largest and most densely populated cities in the world, Mexico City suffers from many water-related issues,
and will be at further risk with its growing population and changing climate. Mexico City is the cultural, economic, and
industrial center of the nation, making it essential to maintain the habitability of the area. With limited water sources, unique
geographic location, mixed geologic formation, and inefficient infrastructure of water networks, the area is extremely
vulnerable to drought, subsidence, floods, earthquakes, and drinking water limitations. As climate change causes increasing
temperatures and more intense and frequent rainfall, there will be even more danger to the area’s already vulnerable
landscape. In this paper I ask, why, where, and when has Mexico City experienced these water-related risks? What are the
implications of this history in addressing current and future situations? Gathering data from remotely sensing imagery and
various journal sources, I analyze the temporal and spatial distribution of drought, floods, subsidence, earthquakes, drinking
water limitations, and their connections, as well as how they affect the past, current, and proposed solutions to water scarcity.
With such a complex landscape, many risks are interwoven, making it possible for solutions to be targeted together. It is
important to understand the vulnerability, causes, locations, and time periods of these risks in order to analyze past success
and failures in mitigation efforts, as well as implement future management solutions.
Nour Sarsangi | Undergraduate | Neuroscience & Geography
Irrigation Systems and the Dynamics of Water Conflicts in the Sahel:
A Case Study from Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa that faces one of the biggest water crises in the Sahel. Receiving less
than 60 centimeters of rainfall per year in the 274,000 square kilometers region, water management in Burkina Faso has
been a crucial challenge. Conflicts have arisen due to chronic water scarcity, legal pluralism, and competing uses and claims
on the limited quantity of water. Land scarcity along with scarce water sources have caused irrigation systems to become
major areas of struggle and conflict in the region. This poster focuses on the Bagre irrigation system, a gravity-fed irrigation
system located on the Nakambe River in south-eastern Burkina Faso that is home to the Bagre dam, Burkina Faso’s largest
hydropower facility. This poster offers insight on the reasons for, and the resolution of, conflicts around the management of
water in the Bagre irrigation system. Understanding how water-related conflicts emerge, evolve, and are regulated within
an irrigation landscape is very important to the well-being of the citizens and the future of Burkina Faso because irrigation
is at the cornerstone of the country’s development.
Zach Williams | Undergraduate | Forest Ecology & Management,
Environmental Science
Examining Government Influence on Hydrosocial Relationships in Nepal
Nepal is a country of many convergences: the convergence of mountains, basins, social structures, and governmental
influence. The spatial distribution of water and its scarcity deeply influence the hydrosocial relations between water and
local communities. This effect is present not just in the upper reaches of the Himalaya, but also in urban areas as well. In
the high-elevation Mustang district, a long history of indigenous knowledge has guided water management. Traditional
knowledge guides resource allocation and is a driver of social relationships including gender roles. Over time, though,
climate has changed, new social structures have formed, and outside influences including the Nepalese government have
altered local hydrosocialities. In Kathmandu, the legal abolition of the caste system has not significantly improved the lives
of Dalits, and governmental influence has altered water security for this group. However, the response to regional issues,
including flooding, exemplify the benefit of government intervention into water issues. The increased influence of the
government has had mixed effects due to its outside perspective and emphasis on scientific management. This paper
seeks to explore the impact governmental influence has had on water hydrosocialities in Nepal, from three different
perspectives: the rural Mustang district, urban Kathmandu dalits, and from a larger-scale look at regional issues including
flooding.
Session 4 – Irrigation & Agriculture
10:15-10:45 a.m.
Tyler Coulson | Undergraduate | General Studies
Biodrainage versus Traditional Drainage Infrastructure
as a Remedy for Salinity and Waterlogging in India
In some semi-arid regions, agricultural areas are plagued by water-logging, often the result of rising water tables due to
seepage of unlined waterways or irrigation of agriculture. Additionally, rising water tables may have increased soluble salts
towards the surface of the soil causing less than ideal growing conditions. India is home to one of the fastest growing
populations in the world, with an ever-growing need for food and agriculture. India also has a lack of traditional drainage
infrastructure. Worsening the problem, farmers often do not have the capital or support in order to create such systems. In
order to combat this problem, biodrainage has been promoted as being effective and cost-efficient. Biodrainage is a
technique that utilizes planting trees and grasses near waterways and agricultural fields to absorb water and lower
groundwater levels by way of evapotranspiration. However, a problem associated with biodrainage is its lack of versatility
because specific environmental conditions are needed in order to implement a biodrainage system, such as appropriate
groundwater levels and salt content. Additionally, it causes a loss in agricultural land as a result of planting vegetation strips.
Another possibility available is to implement subsurface drainage as it is a much more efficient and universal approach to
drainage. Although it is not considered as environmentally beneficial, traditional drainage has been shown to decrease water
tables and efficiently dispose of salts.
Bethany Devault | Undergraduate | Forest Management & Ecology
Deforestation Effects on Stream Water Quality in Borneo, Malaysia
Deforestation continues to be an issue in Borneo, Malaysia even though it is deteriorating the streams and affecting
freshwater which is an important aspect of an ecosystem. This project examines how deforestation and subsequent land use
influence stream condition and water quality in Borneo, Malaysia. Poor water quality can be a problem not just because it
affects aquatic habitat, but also because it can influence drinking water and water for agriculture and other industries.
Researchers have found that in the northern part of Borneo, Sabah has already lost 31% of the forest in the region. Bordering
Sabah is Sarawak, which is in the northwest part of Borneo, and has lost 50% of the forest, mostly due to logging for oil
palm fields that has resulted in degradation of the nearby streams. The project examines water quality characteristics and
decomposition differences in the streams of areas that were logged, farmed for oil palm agriculture with and without buffers,
and a control group of pristine old growth forest. The results indicate areas without buffers to the streams and areas with
mechanized deforestation have affected the stream's water quality the most due to increased sedimentation, increased
stream temperature, and changes in decomposition near the streams
Ashley Gilliam | Undergraduate | Environmental Engineering
The Blood that’s in Our Water
The animal agriculture industry has a major negative impact on our fresh water, with pollution from the animal waste seeping
into our water systems, to the overuse of our freshwater supply for a food source that is unnecessary and detrimental to our
planet and health.
Eileen Lavelle | Undergraduate | Geography
Desalination of Sea Water for Agricultural Needs in Saudi Arabia
In the past forty years, water scarcity has been a concern for most of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia has long depended on
groundwater for its agriculture. Due to a limited supply, the nation has eliminated the cultivation of wheat, focusing only on
fruits and vegetables, allowing for some of the water reserves to be spared. These efforts, however, may not be enough. The
Saudi Arabian government has used desalination of sea water to bolster its freshwater reserves. The challenge for engineers
now is to determine the most effective distribution of desalination plants to meet the freshwater needs for agriculture
throughout Saudi Arabia, and to explore cost-effective solutions to ensure that the implementation of these systems
succeed.
Session 5 – Water Governance
12:00-12:30 p.m.
Josh Foster | Undergraduate | Environmental Science
Residential Health Impacts Associated with the Decline of the Aral Sea
The Aral Sea was once the fourth largest lake in the world. By the end of 1990, the Aral Sea has seen a reduction of 80%
water volume from anthropogenic disturbance and climate change. The reduction of the lake surface has been a result of
irrigation practices, evaporation, drought and desertification of the two inlets of the lake. This has had a negative impact on
the health of the surrounding population, as the Aral Sea has been subject to numerous pesticides and fertilizers from
agricultural runoff, heavy metals from mine tailings, and an increase in salinity. Declining water levels have exposed the lake
bottom, increasing the amount of dust in the region, forming airborne hazards from the various pollutants that have been
retained in the regions soil. The people’s food source in the Aral Sea Drainage Basin (ASDB) has also been contaminated
and been shown to carry high amounts of pesticides and heavy metals which cause negative health complications. In this
paper I will be detailing the negative health effects that the people in the ASDB are experiencing, as well as the disruption
in the way of life since a majority of the lake has dried up.
Lea Gifford | Undergraduate | Geography
Maori-Pakeha Co-Governance for Managing Fresh Water in New Zealand
For decades, New Zealand’s Pakeha (ethnically European New Zealanders) have systematically excluded the indigenous
population, or Maori, from involvement in the management of the country’s freshwater resources. In the midst of the climate
crisis, degraded water quality and decreasing water quantity among other issues, New Zealand is in need of new ways for
thinking about and managing their fresh water. With their own unique understanding and values pertaining to water, Maori
can provide this much needed alternative perspective. This project investigates how Maori-Pakeha co-governance can
improve freshwater management in New Zealand. I will examine the case studies of Rangitaiki River and Whanganui River
to highlight the differences in outcomes when Maori are involved in management and when they are not. I will also explore
how Maori involvement can improve river water quality and quantity. I will then make an argument for why co-governance
is the best option for obtaining and retaining the benefits associated with Maori involvement.
Megan McLeroy | Undergraduate | Environmental Science
The Role of WaSH in Maternal and Newborn Health in East Africa
Having access to proper water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) plays a critical role in maternal and newborn health in East
African countries. When adequate WaSH practices are unattainable, there is a rise in maternal and infant morbidity and
mortality. Low quality and minimal access to WaSH leads to diarrhoeal mortality, which makes up 10% of all child deaths.
This is important because clean water improves the health of mothers and newborns during the time they are most
susceptible to illness. To understand how WaSH affects the health of mothers and babies, studies from other researchers
were conducted to understand the quality of WaSH and the access they had during their time in hospitals and post birth.
This poster will examine WaSH in Uganda, Malawi, and Tanzania, comparing access, education, and practices that relate
WaSH to maternal and newborn health.
Noel Vineyard | Graduate | Geography
Capitalizing on Water Capitalism: The Development of Free Market Water
Governance and Mining Development in Chile
The purpose of this poster & paper is to examine the ways in which Chile’s radical free market approach to water governance
has shaped the nation’s lucrative copper and lithium mining industries. Beginning with the 1980 Constitution, Chile in the
later part of the 20th century advanced an economic project seeking to privatize the nation’s surface water resources. The
1981 Water Act that followed transfigured the nation’s water rights into a new kind of saleable real estate to be owned by
those with the will and capital to buy them. For the multinational mining companies developing Chile's copper and lithium
resources, this presented new opportunities for accumulation at the expense of many of the nation’s poor water rights
holders. In an open market situation, small-scale, indigenous and subsistence agricultural water rights holders no longer
wielded the financial or social capital required to secure their rights and push back against environmental damages. The
ease by which international mining operations could supplant local hydrosocial structures and disposes local peoples of
water within a free market water system raise important questions about how such behavior by extractive industry may play
out in other parts of the world seeking to neo-liberalize their own water systems.
McKenna Wickware | Undergraduate | Environmental Science
“Volga, Volga, Our Pride!”:
How a History of Poor Water Governance has Jeopardized Europe’s Longest River
The Volga River, the longest river in Russia and the topic of multiple famous Russian folk songs once was the country’s pride
and lifeblood but may now be constituted as one of the world’s most critically polluted rivers. Water pollution is one of the
biggest environmental issues in Russia. Considering how many people rely on the Volga, and the fact that it drains into the
international Caspian Sea, the pollution of the river is quite a pressing matter. The Volga River is of great social and economic
importance to Russia. The basin contains approximately 40% of the Russian population and is tied to 45% of the country's
industrial and agricultural production. A long history of poor water governance, rapid industrialization, political conflicts,
and lack of environmental care have led to this issue that has far reaching effects on not only Russia’s population, but the
environment overall. Although in recent years monitoring of the river has improved, more mitigation is needed to combat
the anthropogenic impacts of the 20th century. In order to convey the importance of this issue, this project examines the
factors that have contributed to water quality issues of the Volga River and what could be done to address this further.
Session 6 – Water Quality
12:45-1:15 p.m.
Lillian Dailey | Undergraduate | Geography
Impacts of Micro-Plastic Pollution to the Water Quality of European River systems
and the Characteristics of Effective Mitigation Solutions
Plastic accumulation and waste is a global pollution problem that circulates through freshwater riverways, streams, and
natural fluvial vectors that eventually contaminate marine environments. Overall plastic pollution has mainly been macro-
sized and visible to the naked eye, but beginning from the 1960s micro- and nano- sized plastics account for 50 to 90% of
all marine litter, and 90% of that originates from land sources. International countries including Asia, Europe, and North
America report different size classes of plastics in research studies found in their surface waters and sediments. This project
examines the impacts of microplastic pollution on the water quality of European rivers and considers the characteristics of
solutions that are effective in mitigating contamination. These consumer-based solutions have been assessed for economic
impacts, feasibility, and unintended further pollution by using reusable kitchenware, reusable water bottles, and refill
shampoo and conditioner bottles.
Rosey Downey | Undergraduate | Geography
The Changes Made in India to Combat Water Quality Impacts of the Textile
Industry
Textile manufacturing is a globally significant economic sector. India, the world’s third biggest textile exporter, supplies
European and North American customers with inexpensive textiles as well as provides employment to 45 million people
domestically. The bleaching, dyeing, printing, and final stages, also known as wet processing, involved in textile
manufacturing rely on access to top-quality water. These processes produce a sizable amount of wastewater that contains
sodium, chloride, sulphate, high TDS, and carcinogenic dye additives. This wastewater gets reintroduced into the
environment, causing considerable damage. As a result, surrounding water accessibility is influenced. Several policy and
technological changes have been initiated in India to combat the effects the textile dyeing industry has on water. The
recycling of processed wastewater and the zero liquid discharge approach prove to operate practically and be economically
achievable. The zero liquid discharge (ZLD) procedure improves the treatment and recycling of wastewater while also
lessening the need for water. The implementation of these two concepts will help treat and sustain the water quality in India.
This project examines the changes instituted in India to combat the impacts of the textile dyeing industry on water.
Valérie Pihen | Graduate | Water Science
Analysis of Phenols Degradation Potential by Ligninolytic Yeasts
Phenols are organic compounds that cause adverse effects on human health and ecology, which is of concern as they are
increasingly detected in water effluents, mainly due to industrial discharges. Although technologies have been developed
to degrade these compounds, the most efficient ones are unfortunately the most expensive and they are not environmentally
friendly. We propose the use of ligninolytic yeasts, since they produce enzymes that are involved in the oxidation of phenolic
compounds. The objective of this research is to analyze the degradation potential of Phenol, Pentachlorophenol, p-
Nitrophenol and Nonylphenol by the ligninolytic yeasts Cryptococcus albidus (JS-B1, JS-B3), Candida guilliermondii (JS-B2)
and Candida tropicalis (JS-B4, JS-B5), individually and their mixtures for their application in wastewater treatment plants. To
this end, the yeast growth, and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of each contaminant was measured. The
capacity to use phenols as the sole carbon source was confirmed and the most effective combination of yeasts with the
phenols mixtures was determined according to their growth. All yeast strains grew on concentrations of 1100 to 1200 mg/L
of Phenol, more than 3250 mg/L of Nonylphenol, 200 mg/L of p-Nitrophenol and 50 mg/L Pentachlorophenol. The
combination of all yeasts showed higher growth in presence of the four phenols. Therefore, the proposed ligninolytic yeasts
have the potential to be used to degrade phenols in industrial wastewater.
Lauren Pavillionis | Undergraduate | Environmental Science
Deteriorating Water Quality in Canterbury, New Zealand:
Causes, Impacts and Mitigation
Agricultural production in the Canterbury region of New Zealand is on the rise, leading to an increased use of local water
resources. This paper examines the results that practices pertaining to pastures have contributed to the steady decline of
water quality in Canterbury. Increased nutrient concentrations and temperatures as well as higher levels of dissolved solids
from increased sediment loads are all trends emerging in water areas downstream of pastoral agriculture. The consequence
of these changing factors is that the water quality standards are not being met by more than half of lowland and downstream
water bodies in the Canterbury region. Groundwater, the primary source of water for the Canterbury area, is also impacted
by pastoral and agricultural practices as contamination via pollution is a major threat. Proposed solutions to mitigate further
water quality decline include introducing riparian restoration on lowland streams, employing the use of collaborative
governance between farmers and policy makers, and utilizing designated government offices and programs to help navigate
water resource management.
Ciara Scalia-Hirschman | Undergraduate | Environmental Science
Contaminants Of Emerging Concern (CECs) In Surface Water in Luxembourg:
Sources and Impacts
Luxembourg is a small European country that is mostly rural. Rural residents are more likely than urban residents to rely on
untreated domestic wells, and not all public water systems have appropriate filtration. Anthropogenic activity in the area
releases pharmaceuticals, herbicides, and their transformation products (TPs) into the aquatic environment on a regular
basis. These chemicals commonly come from municipal and agricultural wastewater. Pollutants enter Luxembourg's
ecosystem through subsurface flow, wash-off, and erosion due to poor wastewater and water quality management. These
contaminants have a harmful impact on wildlife, the environment, and people's health and behavior. The consequences of
them in the water could be immediate or long-term. In this study, I investigate contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in
surface water in Luxembourg to identify main sources and the ramifications of these pollutants.
Session 7 – Water Hazards
2:30-3:00 p.m.
Brenda Aguilar Fernandez | Undergraduate | Anthropology & Environmental
Science
Tropical Cyclones in the Southwest Pacific:
Mitigation of Water Supply Impacts in Fiji and Vanuatu
The Pacific Island region is exceptionally vulnerable to the damage and disaster created by tropical cyclones. They affect the
quality of life for many local communities on the Fiji and Vanuatu islands and continue to weaken their already limited water
resources, infrastructure, and economic development. In 2012, tropical cyclone Evan swept through Fiji and other
surrounding countries costing an estimated 315 million USD in damages, and more recently in 2015, a category 5 cyclone
affected more than 70% of the population of Vanuatu, now considered one of the worse natural disasters in the history of
the island. With the rise of climate change, these tropical cyclones are becoming more frequent and disastrous, posing a
threat to clean, usable water supplies that are a staple for various socio-economic sectors in the Pacific Islands. In response
to catastrophic cyclones, several mitigation solutions have arisen from the traditional ecological knowledge of indigenous
people across Fiji and Vanuatu. These cost-effective and sustainable solutions can provide valuable insight and guidance for
other regions being affected by tropical cyclone events, in addition to helping island communities prepare and respond to
them in an effective and timely manner. Here, I’ll address the impacts of tropical cyclones on water supplies in the Pacific
Islands of Fiji and Vanuatu while highlighting the mitigation techniques being used to adapt and cope with these extreme
weather events.
Evan Hartshorn | Graduate | Hydrology
Hydrologic Controls on Dust Emission at Willcox Playa, Arizona
Willcox Playa is a remnant of pluvial lake Cochise which under specific conditions can be a major dust source in this region.
Variable precipitation intensity and extended dry periods heavily influence characteristics of the playa’s surface crusts and
act as a mechanism to increase dust emission potential. Dust emission flux measurements were collected at Willcox Playa in
both November 2019 and May 2021 using the Portable In-situ Wind Erosion Laboratory (PI-SWERL). Using monthly
precipitation data from the Western Regional Climate Center at a nearby weather station in Willcox, AZ, precipitation prior
to dust emission measurements was analyzed in relation to the types of playa surface crusts present on Willcox Playa.
Preliminary results suggest that Willcox Playa has a dynamic relationship between precipitation distribution and dust
emission. A wide variety of crust types were documented, such as peeling crusts or crusts with sand sized aggregates of silt
and clay, that form because of variable quantities of localized precipitation across the playa. The proposed model for dust
emission at Willcox Playa suggests smaller precipitation events create thin (<5 mm) peeling mud cracks above the existing
playa crusts. After sufficiently drying, peeling curved edges of the thin mud cracks are entrained by wind, and when mobilized
act as sand sized particles saltating on the playa deposits as evidenced by small patches of eolian aggregate ripples across
the playa. Variable precipitation distribution plays a role in forming different crust types at Willcox Playa, creating a dynamic
environment for dust emission to occur.
Michael Sprinkle | Undergraduate | Environmental Science, Ecological
Conservation & Restoration
Land Use Impacts on Flooding and Drought during Times of Climate Change:
A Case Study from the Mediterranean
Land and water systems of the Mediterranean are changing, thus impacting the water security of communities. Land
management decisions, in the context of climate change impact risk of flood related disasters and the conversely critical
shortages during drought periods. There has been a legacy of timber production/plantations and abandonment of land
following intensive cultivation, leads to deforestation and loss of ecosystem integrity. These are coupled with changing
climate and disturbances, including more severe fires and weather patterns, The combined effect of these decisions and
changes are degrading the ecosystem services of flow modulation and storage. In particular, water systems during periods
of extremes, flooding, and drought are being impacted. A legacy of timber production, coupled with a more critical fire
environment is increasing fire severity. This in turn leads to higher run-off rates during floods and lower storage flows during
droughts. While land abandonment without restoration is likewise making the water systems more susceptible to extreme
water events. This is due to loss of ecosystem functioning in the storage and runoff modulation. While the previously used
infrastructure is no longer being kept-up, creating a feedback system of more severe flooding and drought conditions. These
issues can be mitigated with restoration of ecosystem services, along with a more holistic look at the use and management
of the land, incorporating land and water. In particular, this means incorporating natural ecosystem composition and
structure, restructuring of stream geography, and the development of integrated water systems -using both ecosystem
services and built infrastructure.
Claudia Pighetti | Undergraduate | Environmental Science
Drought and its Impact on Agriculture in the Iberian Peninsula
The Iberian Peninsula of southern Europe is an agriculturally-active region in the Mediterranean located within an ecotone
between historically humid and arid regions. Within the past century, droughts have become increasingly frequent and
intense in this region, with climatic conditions becoming significantly drier from 1970 on than in prior decades. About 43.7%
of land in the Iberian Peninsula is used for agriculture, but only about 4.8% is irrigated. And as the Iberian Peninsula’s
agricultural system relies heavily on rain, drought events are a huge cause of concern for the future of agriculture in the
peninsula. In this study, I examine the ways in which drought has historically changed in this region and how these droughts
have impacted agriculture activity.
Chase Vigue | Undergraduate | Environmental Science
Fire's Effect on Water Repellent Soils in Southeastern Australia
How does fire affect soil's ability to absorb water in Australia? Water-repellent soils are well documented in southeastern
Australia, specifically in the states of Victoria and New South Wales. as well as the western United States, however, little is
known about fire’s effects on the water repellency of the soils. It is often viewed that the enhanced soil water repellency
caused by fire is a key factor increasing runoff and erosion following the burn. This paper examines the effects of fire on soil
water repellency using studies done in Australia following major bushfires, while acknowledging the soil's naturally high
repellency in the area to determine if this is an independent condition or induced by the naturally occurring fires. Data
collected from the Water Drop Penetration Time (WDPT) test done on soils that experienced different severity of burns and
unburned soil. The WDPT consists of placing a drop of water on the surface soil, and measuring the time until complete
penetration. Using this test on previously burnt soils revealed, that fire’s effects on the soil changed based on temperature
and would differ between the surface and subsurface layers of the soil.
Session 8 – Drinking Water
3:15-3:45 p.m.
Lauren Bartels | Graduate | Hydrology
What Drives Cities to Adopt Groundwater Banking?
A Cross-Case Analysis of U.S. Cities
As climate change continues to increase the variability and decrease the reliability of water supplies, urban water utilities
must adopt and implement innovative strategies to enhance water security and promote system sustainability. Groundwater
banking, which includes managed aquifer recharge and in-lieu recharge methods, is becoming an increasingly common
water management strategy in response to these challenges. As more states and cities turn to groundwater banking, there
is a need to better understand factors contributing to the adoption and implementation of groundwater banking as a long-
term water management strategy, as well as its impacts on broader urban water sustainability. Using a two-stage
comparative case study design, this research investigates 16 large-scale urban water systems in the United States to
understand various drivers of and barriers to groundwater banking. Then, a longitudinal comparison of two cases of water-
stressed cities, Phoenix, Arizona and San Antonio, Texas is conducted to identify patterns in groundwater banking
development and assess the variables that enable sustainable groundwater banking. Data was collected from utility planning
documents, archival reports, and interviews with water managers, among other sources. By systematically analyzing the
drivers underlying groundwater banking and comparing the implementation and impacts across cases, this research will
elucidate critical factors, and the relationships between factors, that promote or hinder a utility’s use of groundwater
banking.
Ryan Harer | Undergraduate | Wildlife Ecology & Conservation
Sustainable Groundwater Supply Through Cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula
The Yucatan Peninsula is located in the eastern part of Mexico and contains an extensive karst aquifer system along with
underground sinkholes that contain groundwater which are known as cenotes. Many areas in the Yucatan Peninsula rely
heavily on groundwater for their water supply, but due to saltwater infiltration into the aquifers and heavy tourism in the
area many of their water resources are contaminated. Many areas are considering cenotes as a sustainable water supply for
the local cities and communities. This project addresses what is being done to deal with the introduction of contaminants
into cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and how these measures could influence the sustainability of domestic and
municipal water supplies. Cenotes are popular tourist destinations, but the exposure to recreational activities has increased
contaminants into these freshwater systems. Looking at the major contributors of contaminants into these systems is the
first step in addressing this issue, and from there researching ways to manage the resource to limit the introduction of the
contaminants. This project also addresses some of the tradeoffs and controversies associated with managing cenotes for
water supplies.
Allison Hinkle | Undergraduate | Environmental Science
Drinking Water in Africa: How Can it Become More Reliable?
Water availability to the sub-Saharan African countries has become an increasingly important issue for villagers and policy-
makers alike in recent years. At any given time, nearly one-third of the sub-Saharan water infrastructure is broken, including
both hand pumps and solar-powered systems. Various approaches have been put into place to provide water to these
villagers in a reliable fashion, but the water infrastructure itself has made this difficult. Recent studies have demonstrated
that villagers are now prepared to pay up to five times the usual cost of their water if it were to mean that the local pumps
would indeed be repaired in the span of three days, compared to the original 27 days it used to take. More so, even for
those pumps that are actively dispersing water, there is a lack of revenue to maintain their upkeep. Projects sponsored by
charities like eWater are actively finding solutions to this problem through a variety of projects like the “Pay as you drink”
initiative, where villagers have the option to pay for their water through their smartphones. Not only does this make water
access easy and convenient for the user but helps to incentivize the protection of water after it is pumped as villagers are
paying for it directly.
James Phillips | Graduate | Hydrology
Challenges, Perceptions, and Potential Effectiveness
of Potable Water Reuse in South Africa
Four billion people currently experience water stress at least one month out of the year, and over 500 million are under
severe chronic water stress. With a steep decline in current water resources and aquifer subsidence due to climate change
and anthropogenic factors, these populations experiencing water stress are well-suited to increase in number unless
effective water management strategies are implemented. Specifically, South Africa has experienced frequent droughts and
significant declines in groundwater levels, contributing to severe water stress in more densely populated areas such as Cape
Town and Durban. Wastewater treatment for potable reuse offers a potential solution to the growing South African water
crisis; however, there are certain technical and social barriers to the implementation of potable reuse schemes. This paper
evaluates the possible technical, cultural, and religious barriers to potable reuse in South Africa through a systematic
literature review. Preliminary results from this study showed that a lack of trust in the wastewater treatment infrastructure
and the water services authorities from both affluent and low-income areas highlights potential resistance to wastewater
reclamation strategies. Additionally, low-income populations are willing to reject potable reuse on the grounds that it creates
even more inequitable and unjust water allocation patterns than already exist. Although these concerns of inadequate
infrastructure and injustices exist among residential populations, agricultural and commercial industries strongly embrace
the idea of wastewater reclamation. This study is important to determine the feasibility of potable reuse in South Africa.
Session 9 – Water & Weather
4:00-4:30 p.m.
Lars Anderson | Undergraduate | Environmental & Resource Management
Has the Rate of Evaporation of the Lake Mead Reservoir
Increased Due to Climate Change?
Has the rate of evaporation of the Lake Mead reservoir increased due to climate change? This paper will investigate the
water budget of the Lake Mead reservoir and will try to determine if the reservoir is decreasing due to evaporative loss or
increased water usage. This has become an increasingly important question because nearly 20 million people rely on the
reservoir as its main water source. When lake mead dropped below 1075 feet it triggered a federally-declared water
shortage, the water shortage will cause Arizona, Nevada, and Mexico to cut their water allotment in 2022. The western part
of the United States has been in a severe drought for the last 20 years, and the reservoir levels have been in decline since it
reached full capacity in 1983. I will attempt to answer this question by looking at the water budget of Lake Mead. The inputs
of the water budget consist of four main inlets and precipitation. The data for the inflows and outflows to lake mead will be
obtained from stream gage data provided by the USGS. Precipitation data will be collected via the NOAA website, and the
lake volume will be interpolated. The amount of water lost to evaporation or increased water usage will be calculated by
comparing the reservoir's inflows and outflows to the lake's volume. The only recourse is to investigate the cause of our
dwindling reservoir and try to mitigate the losses as effectively as possible.
Alexia Hunter | Undergraduate | Geography
Cloud Seeding Efficiency in China
One of the ways China deals with their water scarcity problem is through cloud seeding. Cloud seeding is a method used to
increase the probability of precipitation in areas that are not getting enough rain to support the population's needs. This
works by putting particles into the atmosphere that water droplets can attach to in order to generate precipitation in a
target area. Studies show how much water different groups of populations need and this determines the locations that they
do cloud seeding in. But the cloud seeding method might not be able to produce a sufficient amount of precipitation for all
of the water needs in a target area and might be taking away water from other areas that need rain. This paper will look into
the cloud seeding method used in China in order to see if it is efficient enough for the target area, and if it has any influence
on the precipitation amount in the surrounding area.
Zac Martines | Undergraduate | Environmental Science
Will High Atlas Mountain Snowpack Levels Sustain Moroccan Agriculture?
Snowpack in the High Atlas Mountains is an important source of water for Morocco. Here, water scarcity is a constant threat
to agriculture. The semi-arid region is in the rain shadow of the High Atlas Mountains and receives very little rainfall.
Therefore, Moroccans rely on snowmelt to feed rivers and fill lakes and reservoirs. The question at hand is: Can Morocco
continue to rely on snowpack as a freshwater source? As the population grows, precipitation has decreased, and snowpack
levels may not be able to sustain water needs. For centuries, Moroccans have depended on snow melt, from the High Atlas
Mountains, as a freshwater source. However, freshwater from snowpack fluctuates and may not be able to keep up with
water needs. Climate change has exacerbated water scarcity by decreasing snow levels and increasing evaporation and the
future of Moroccan agriculture depends on finding solutions. Understanding if snowpack as a freshwater source is
sustainable, is crucial to prepare for the future and plan water budgets accordingly. To better understand if snowpack can
continue to support Morocco’s water needs, many aspects of the hydrosocial cycle must be examined. The factors that affect
snowpack levels must be examined. Understanding past and current snowpack in the High Atlas Mountains along with how
that snowmelt is used will allow us to predict if Morocco can continue to rely on snowmelt or if alternative water sources
are needed.
Paige Land | Undergraduate | Geography
Snowmelt and Water Resources in the Himalayas
This project covers the impacts of climate change on snowmelt in the Himalayas and how that affects the surrounding
communities. I examine water security for urban areas that rely on the Himalayas. The Himalayas are significant because
they contain the largest reserve of frozen water outside of polar regions and are a water source for almost two billion people.
In order to better understand how water security may change for the region I look at snow melt, climate change, urbanization
and current water availability in urban communities.
Session 10 – Groundwater
4:45-5:15 p.m.
Cade Billingsley | Undergraduate | Environmental Science
How is the Oil Industry Furthering the Groundwater Issues in Yemen?
This paper wants to answer the question of how the oil industry is furthering the water issues in Yemen. Most Yemeni water
supply comes from groundwater, which is being split between the local farmers and the oil industry. Local farmers need of
more water for the increasing amount of cash crops, like qat. Oil companies across the globe show interest in Yemen as a
major producer of oil and the Yemeni government vowed to increase oil production in the past year, giving the companies
more incentive to come to them. These companies use vast amount of water as part of their mining process and could be
contaminating the groundwater. This causes conflict between the two parties, which the government struggles to mediate.
The farmers are important to Yemeni society since they are feeding the people and the cash crops they grow support the
economy. The oil industry also supports the economy as a major export and by providing jobs for the locals. This paper will
look at peer reviewed papers and reports on the nation to see the ways that the oil industry is affecting the water of Yemen
and the local farmers reliant on that water. This paper will also look at how important the oil industry is to Yemen, and if it
can still thrive with growing water concerns. If Yemen can survive with less reliance on the oil industry, then they may be
able to alleviate their water shortage issues.
Christopher Draeger | Undergraduate | Environmental Science
Foreign Use of Domestic Fresh-Water and Saudi Arabian
Agricultural Investment Abroad Limits Local Fresh-Water Sources
Saudi Arabia is located in an arid region where there are no perennial rivers. At the turn of the 21st century, the country was
agriculturally self-reliant and profitable. As water demand grew due to a growing population and developed culture, water
levels in aquifers and wells began to dissipate. As, a result, a mitigation strategy and plan was implemented in 2009, “King
Abdulla's Initiative for Agricultural Investment Abroad”. As a developed country, Saudi Arabia has reservoirs and numerous
desalination plants. However, the amount of water required to produce beef and dairy cow feed surpasses the threshold
that Saudi Arabia can efficiently produce domestically. Saudi Arabian companies are acquiring farmland in foreign arable
regions, such as south-western Arizona, to exploit natural water resources and local laws to grow feed. Groundwater mining
by Saudi Arabian companies, such as the Almarai Corporation, have local Arizonans concerned about their water rights and
unregulated pumping. The desert climate and the excessive use of water for agriculture exacerbates the strain on the local
aquifers, where the vast majority of irrigation water comes from, as well as domestic water. In towns like Vicksburg and
Wilcox, residents are reluctant to let foreign entities grab local water and grow water-intensive crops like alfalfa to feed cows
across the world. Examining the water-rights and usage in the two developed regions will help to understand current water-
conflicts, and to implement solutions.
Jerra Hinson | Undergraduate | Environmental Science
The Guaraní Aquifer System: A Transboundary Agreement
The Guaraní Aquifer System (GAS) is a transboundary aquifer in South America that is located in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay,
and Argentina. It is named after the Guaraní people who are primarily located in Paraguay, but they are also found in
Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil. The aquifer is one of largest in the world at about 1,200,000 square kilometers and would be
able to sustain the world’s population for 200 years. Almost 94% of the aquifer is located under Brazil which gives them a
significant impact on the management decisions that are made regarding the aquifer. The Guaraní Aquifer Agreement (GAA)
is one of only a few international agreements on a freshwater aquifer and its allocation. The Guaraní Aquifer agreement was
adopted in 2010, but was not ratified by all four countries until 2018, when Paraguay joined Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.
The GAA is one of the only international groundwater treaties that was not born out of conflict, but was created as a
precautionary measure to help avoid future conflict due to water scarcity. This paper will evaluate the circumstances that
led to the Guaraní Aquifer Agreement and how it has affected groundwater allocation in the region.
Alexandra Lee-Sang | Undergraduate | Environmental Science
Decreasing Groundwater Quality and Quantity in the Perth Basin: Effects on
Ecosystems and Economics and Western Australia
Western Australia is an arid, water limited region that is very dependent on groundwater for human water needs and
ecosystems. Climate change and overuse of groundwater cause aquifer levels to decrease and contamination of
groundwater to increase. In this paper I will address how the decreased groundwater quantity and quality effects ground
water dependent ecosystems and the species that live within them. I will compare environmental effects with economic
effects of changing groundwater. It is important to study the environmental impacts of changes in groundwater in the
Western Australia because the region has plentiful biodiversity and is home to many unique and endemic species. The basin
is essential in providing water to keep groundwater dependent ecosystems alive and provide the heavily populated Perth
area with municipal, agricultural, and industrial water. It is also relevant to examine how the economy of the area will change
since Perth relies on groundwater for industry and agriculture. I will address this issue by examining how limited and/or
contaminated water can change the flora and fauna in Western Australia. I will also touch on how social aspects and
economics in the region can change with clean groundwater availability.
Tricia Reimer | Undergraduate | Geography
Groundwater Depletion and Agriculture in India
A couple keys to sustainable agriculture in India are to better understand and reduce groundwater depletion. This project
examines groundwater availability in India for agricultural production and how the concern for water availability for
agriculture is connected to the growing demand for food. Although rainfall has remained steady in India, the groundwater
supply has decreased by 4 centimeters per year on average. India’s economy relies on agriculture for a high percentage of
income, and more importantly, along with the rising population, there will be a higher demand for food production
throughout the country. In order to resolve this problem, groundwater must be replenished and recharged in order to keep
up with the rising demand of agricultural production. Approaches such as tillage for water harvesting, rainwater collection,
and cropland management have proved to be promising approaches for replenishing groundwater. This project will
elaborate more on the possible methods of restoring and recharging groundwater for agriculture in India.
Thank you for joining us!