1) Select two places described in the provided materials where water conservation practices are being implemented on a community level. What do these water conservation efforts entail, and how effective are these efforts? Why is water conservation so important in these locations? Answer in 1-2 paragraphs.
2) What do we mean when we talk about a “local approach” to water management? What are some of the pros and cons of taking a local approach to water management? What is one example of a local approach to water management? Answer in ~2 paragraphs.
3) Describe primary treatment, secondary treatment, and tertiary treatment in the wastewater treatment process. Explain what each one is, what it entails, and the purpose(s) it serves. Answer in ~1 paragraph.
4) According to Drinking Water Treatment and Challenges in Developing Countries, what is an abstraction point, and what are some examples of abstraction points? Why are abstraction points so important from a water quality/water treatment perspective? Answer in ~1 paragraph.
5) Select any two of the videos you watched in the provided materials. Describe what you learned from each video. How does the information in these videos pertain to the topics discussed within the materials as a whole? Answer in ~2 paragraphs.
6) What are two examples of places that are reusing water for municipal purposes? For what purposes are they reusing the water? What are the pros and cons of reusing water for municipal purposes? Answer in 1-2 paragraphs.
7) Identify and describe four important sectors of water use in the U.S. Answer in ~1 paragraph.
8) Why do groundwater levels matter? According to the tools and resources (interactive maps, etc) following these questions (listed as “a” through “i” below), are groundwater levels in your state/area (New Mexico) above normal, below normal, or average? Have groundwater levels increased or decreased over the past few decades, and if so, by how much? Answer in ~1 paragraph. Be sure to indicate your state/area (New Mexico) in your response.
9) What role does disinfection play in the treatment of drinking water? Identify three common disinfectants used in drinking water treatment, and briefly explain the pros and cons of each. Answer in ~1 paragraph.
10) Explain the concept of “toilet to tap.” What are the pros and cons of this type of water reuse? Identify two locations that are currently reusing water for human consumption, and briefly describe some of the effects of this approach on the respective communities. Answer in ~1-2 paragraphs.
11) What is the main goal of wastewater treatment? What are the main steps involved in wastewater treatment? What does each step entail, and what purpose does it serve? Answer in 1-2 paragraphs.
12) What are “emerging pollutants”? What are some of the main issues/concerns regarding emerging pollutants? Include 2-3 examples in your response. Answer in ~1 paragraph.
13) According to the Water Use in the U.S. map at the U.S. Geological Survey website (https://owi.usgs.gov/vizlab/water-use-15/#view=USA&category=total), what was the total daily water withdrawal in the U.S. in 2015 (in million gallons per day)? According to this map, which two sectors used the most water per day in 2015? In general, where in the U.S. is each of the two sectors most active? Make one additional observation based on this map. Answer in ~1 paragraph.
15) What are three concepts, ideas, or examples that stood out to you or surprised you as you were reviewing the materials on the topic of water in local communities? Before you read these materials, were you aware of any water-related issues (e.g., flooding, drought, water pollution, groundwater depletion/scarcity) in your community (New Mexico)? What are those issues? How has your community (New Mexico) sought to handle/address those issues? Now review the interactive maps and websites listed below (a through i). Use the maps to research and identify potential water-related issues in your area (New Mexico). Did you identify any issues that you were previously unaware of? What are they? How significant do those issues appear to be? Please respond to all aspects of this final question in a combined approximate 300 words.
– Aforementioned maps and websites for questions #8 and #15:
a) https://owi.usgs.gov/vizlab/water-use-15/#view=USA&category=total
b) https://owi.usgs.gov/vizlab/water-use/
c) https://txpub.usgs.gov/DSS/streamer/web/
d) https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php
e) https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
f) https://groundwaterwatch.usgs.gov/usgsgwnetworks.asp
g) https://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn/index.jsp
h) https://nawqatrends.wim.usgs.gov/swtrends/
i) https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/
References/Sources (readings – more are attached):
https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/total-water-use-united-states?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects
https://www.npr.org/2016/04/14/473806134/how-do-we-get-our-drinking-water-in-the-u-s
https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/wastewater-treatment-water-use
https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/247153e.pdf
https://e360.yale.edu/features/as-water-scarcity-increases-desalination-plants-are-on-the-rise
https://e360.yale.edu/features/instead-of-more-dams-communities-turn-to-reusing-wastewater
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/toilettotap/
https://www.kqed.org/science/1053884/how-california-is-learning-to-love-drinking-recycled-water
https://www.usnews.com/news/cities/articles/2019-06-11/raleighs-painted-storm-drains-draw-attention-to-water-pollution
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170620093146.htm
References/Sources (videos):
Note: It is essential to properly credit sources in each applicable answer, whether the source is included in the materials or is an external resource. Quoted, summarized, and paraphrased content cannot stand alone. Quotes do not speak for themselves. All sourced information must be accompanied by at least 3-4 lines of original text, explaining each line of quoted content. Quoted, summarized, or paraphrased material, derived from a source must always be cited/referenced. Properly credit the author per APA citation guidelines both in-text and as a reference at the end of the response.
