scholarly journals Diffuse pesticide pollution of drinking water sources: impact of legislation and UK responses

Water Policy ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 680-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Dolan ◽  
P. Howsam ◽  
D. J. Parsons
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Environmental Water ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Pesticide Use ◽  
Agricultural Practice ◽  
Pesticide Pollution ◽  
Water Companies ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Diffuse pesticide pollution is a problem for the environment, but it also presents a challenge for water companies managing treatment infrastructure to produce potable water. The legal framework for this context has three main components: that dealing with pesticides and pesticide use, that dealing with environmental water quality and that dealing with drinking water quality. The study set out to identify, interpret and assess the impact of the legal framework related to this challenge. The study found that the current policy and legislation do not provide a coordinated legal framework and some changes are warranted. For example the Water Framework Directive (WFD) sets environmental quality standards for some, but not all, pesticides. Article 7 provides special protection of water bodies used as sources for drinking water supply, but it is not clear whether the UK will achieve full compliance by 2015. This is a problem for water companies planning investment, because the WFD and Drinking Water Directive remain legally distinct. Further uncertainty arises from the application of Regulation (EC) 1107/2009 and the extent that restricted availability of pesticides will drive changes in agricultural practice and pesticide use.

Understanding Pesticides in England and Wales

2018 ◽  
pp. 529-546
Author(s):  
Frances C. Elwell ◽  
Nikolaus J. Clemenz ◽  
Nicola J. Nineham
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Predictive Modelling ◽  
Environmental Water ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Catchment Management ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Pesticide Pollution ◽  
Water Companies

Pesticide usage poses a risk to river water quality, with further consequences for water company operations. Elevated concentrations of some pesticides have been recorded across England and Wales, prompting investigations, often using predictive modelling, to evaluate potential actions to reduce pesticide pollution at the source through catchment management measures. Along with an understanding of these measures, an appreciation of the drivers, or ‘mechanisms’, available to influence the actions of stakeholders, is essential to implement change in affected catchments. Water companies must make a business case for their investments, including catchment management, and a cost-benefit analysis, including consideration of the environmental costs and benefits of different solutions, is a useful tool to demonstrate the value of potential solutions. In the future, the challenges posed by pesticides in the environment are likely to grow, requiring innovative approaches to the management of agriculture and environmental water quality in England and Wales.

Do awareness-focussed approaches to mitigate diffuse pollution work? A study on combined behavioural and water quality evidence

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murat Okumah
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Quality Improvements ◽  
Utility Company ◽  
Pesticide Pollution ◽  
Drinking Water Sources ◽  
The Uk

<p>Recent efforts to tackle diffuse water pollution from agriculture (DWPA) have focussed on improving farmers’ awareness under the expectation that this would contribute to adoption of best management practices (BMPs) and result in water quality improvements. To date, however, no study has studied the full awareness-behaviour-water quality pathway; with previous studies having mostly addressed the awareness-behaviour link relying on disciplinary approaches. Here, we investigated whether awareness-focussed approaches to mitigating DWPA work, addressing the pathway in full using a multidisciplinary approach. We did this by working with Welsh Water (a utility company in the UK) on their Weed wiper project which encourages farmers to consider ‘smarter’ ways of weed, pest and disease control and promotes the safe storage, use and disposal of pesticides and thus safeguard drinking water sources. One aim of this project was to mitigate pesticide pollution in watercourses, through a free ‘weed wiper’ hire trial. The main goal of the trial was to promote farmers’ awareness and uptake of BMPs to tackle the rising concentrations of the pesticide MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid) in drinking water sources in three catchments in Wales. Weed wipers are a proven and effective method of managing weeds and have multiple benefits. By wiping an herbicide directly onto weeds, weed wipers dramatically reduce spray drift in comparison to more traditional methods, such as boom or knapsack spraying. Using less chemical can save land managers money and reduce the risk to their health, water and the wider environment. Using factorial analysis of variance, we analysed MCPA concentrations from 2005 to 2019 for all water treatment works (WTWs) in the three catchments where the weed wiper trial had occurred and all the WTWs within three control catchments that had not been part of the trial but were in a similar location and of a similar characteristics. This was followed by semi-structured in-depth interviews with institutional stakeholders and farmers with varying degrees of exposure to the Weed wiper project.  Results show that MCPA concentration for both treatment and control catchments had reduced following the weed wiper trial, however, considerably larger (38.9%) decreases were observed in the treatment catchments than in the control catchments (10%) and these differences were statistically significant (p<0.05, n= 2858). Results from the stakeholder interviews suggest that the weed wiper project had contributed to changes in behaviour and that these are very likely to have resulted in the water quality improvements. Further analysis revealed, however, that other psychosocial, agronomic, catchment and climate factors also influenced farmers’ behaviour. Therefore, while awareness is an important step towards improving water quality, policymakers need to consider the role of these other variables in their interventions and how they interact with awareness. This research is the first one to cover the full awareness-behaviour-water quality pathway, and to combine different scientific disciplinary 'knowledges' with local non-scientific knowledge to explain water quality responses within the context of awareness-focussed interventions. </p>

scholarly journals Sodium Hypochlorite Treatment: The Impact on Bacteria and Endotoxin Concentrations in Drinking Water Pipes of A Pig Nursery

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Regina Böger ◽  
Karl Rohn ◽  
Nicole Kemper ◽  
Jochen Schulz
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Sodium Hypochlorite ◽  
Coliform Bacteria ◽  
Treated Water ◽  
Water Pipes ◽  
Pseudomonas Spp ◽  
Untreated Water ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Total Bacteria

Poor drinking water quality can affect pigs’ health and performance. The disinfection of water may enhance microbial water quality. In this study, bacteria and endotoxins in sodium hypochlorite-treated and -untreated water from one pig nursery were analyzed. Water samples were taken from incoming water and from compartments with treated and untreated water at the beginning and end of pipes and from nipples. The farm was visited 14 times to measure total bacteria counts and concentrations of Pseudomonas spp. and endotoxins. Additionally, the occurrence of coliform bacteria was analyzed. A mixed model analysis revealed significant reductions in total bacteria counts and Pseudomonas spp. in treated water at the beginning of pipes and at nipple drinkers. The differences between bacteria concentrations at the end of pipes had no clear trend. Endotoxin concentrations were approximately equal at the beginning of pipes and at nipple drinkers but were found to have differences at the end of pipes. The occurrence of coliform bacteria was significantly reduced in treated water. The application of sodium hypochlorite can significantly reduce bacteria in water pipes. Endotoxin concentrations were mostly unaffected by water treatment. Disinfection of the dead-end pipe sections failed, and thus these parts should be regarded as potential contamination sources.

Water Quality Violations and Avoidance Behavior: Evidence from Bottled Water Consumption

2011 ◽  
Vol 101 (3) ◽  
pp. 448-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Graff Zivin ◽  
Matthew Neidell ◽  
Wolfram Schlenker
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Avoidance Behavior ◽  
Bottled Water ◽  
Poor Water Quality ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact

We examine the impact of poor water quality on avoidance behavior by estimating the change in bottled water purchases in response to drinking water violations. Using data from a national grocery chain matched with water quality violations, we find an increase in bottled water sales of 22 percent from violations due to microorganisms and 17 percent from violations due to elements and chemicals. Back-of-the envelope calculations yield costs of avoidance behavior at roughly $60 million for all nationwide violations in 2005, which likely reflects a significant understatement of the total willingness to pay to eliminate violations.

Use of permeable, reservoir pavement constructions for stormwater treatment and storage for re-use

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 145-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Pratt
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Water Environment ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Stormwater Treatment ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Permeable surfaces for roads and footpaths have been used as a means of disposal of stormwater in developed urban areas. Such surfaces provide an alternative to impermeable concrete or tarmacadam surfaces which would otherwise produce rapid stormwater runoff, leading to possible flooding and degeneration of receiving water quality through the uncontrolled discharge of polluted urban waters. A further advantage may be obtained from such constructions by undersealing them so as to retain stormwater for re-use for non-potable uses. The potential for general introduction of this type of storage and re-use system in residential areas is discussed and possible alternative designs for the drainage infrastructure proposed. To have widespread impact such a strategy must deliver cost savings as well as reduce the impact on the water environment of anticipated water usage demands. The source of such cost savings and the general environmental benefits of such systems will be presented. The materials used in such a sealed construction and the beneficial changes to the stored water quality are outlined. Recent work has also shown that where the pavement is used for car parking any oils dropped on the surface and washed into the structure by the stormwater may also be degraded. Details will be given of a site in the UK where the above construction is to be used to provide stormwater storage for re-use in flushing toilets at a Youth Hostel.

The impact of investment on drinking water quality in rural China

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-269
Author(s):  
Ai Yue ◽  
Yaojiang Shi ◽  
Renfu Luo ◽  
Linxiu Zhang ◽  
Natalie Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Representative Data ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Although access to safe drinking water is one of the most important health-related infrastructure programs in the world, drinking water remains a large problem in China today, especially in rural areas. Despite increased government investment in water resource protection and management, there is still an absence of academic studies that are able to document what path the investment has taken and whether it has had any tangible impact. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of drinking water investment on drinking water in China. Design/methodology/approach The authors make use of nationally representative data from 2005 and 2012 to measure the impact of drinking water investment among 2,028 rural households in 101 villages across five provinces. Both ordinary least squares regression and probit regression are used to analyze the correlates and the impact of drinking water investment. Findings The authors demonstrate that water quality was likely a significant problem in 2004 but that China’s investment into drinking water appears to have resulted in initial improvements during the study period. The authors show that the most significant change came about in terms of hardware: villages that received more drinking water investment now have more piped tap water and more access to water treatment infrastructure (disinfecting and filtering facilities). High rates of rural resident satisfaction with drinking water suggest the effects of drinking water investment are being felt at the village level. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study on drinking water investment over time in rural China using nationally representative data.

scholarly journals Impacts of temperature alteration on the drinking water quality stored in plastic bottles

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelkader T. Ahmed ◽  
Mohammed Emad ◽  
Mohammed A. Bkary
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Bottled Water ◽  
Physiochemical Parameters ◽  
Heating Water ◽  
Long Time ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Concentration Levels

AbstractMany people prefer to drink bottled water instead off the tap water. The bottled water is stored in the plastic bottles sometimes for long time. These plastic bottles might leach out some harmful materials into the water especially when exposed to temperature alteration, which may affect human health. This research work focused on investigating the effect of changing temperature on the bottled water quality. The work studied the effect of heating water in plastic bottles by sun, oven, and microwave. The study included also the impact of cooling and freezing the bottled waters. Results showed that temperature alterations caused changes in some physicochemical properties of bottled waters such as decreasing the values of pH and TDS and increasing levels of fluoride and chloride. In addition, the concentration levels of some physiochemical parameters exceeded the permissible values for drinking water. With temperature alterations, all levels of heavy metals in bottled waters were minimal except some small concentrations of copper and zinc. Results confirmed also differences in behavior between the bottled water brands exposed to the same temperature alterations. Heating bottled waters above 50 °C is alarming problem on the water quality. This is because above this degree, many alternations were observed in the water content. The outcomes of this work are useful for improving the current legislation on bottled waters and their storage.

scholarly journals Physicochemical and Microbiological Water Quality Assessment of Aba Waterside River, Aba, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-148
Author(s):  
L. O. Bobor ◽  
C. M. Umeh
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Water Quality Control ◽  
Inorganic Substances ◽  
The Impact

The indiscriminate disposal of industrial effluents and solid wastes in surface water bodies is detrimental to humans and aquatic organisms. Water quality monitoring is critical to identify pollutants of concern and develop effective management strategies. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the impact of waste disposal on the water quality of Aba Waterside River, Ogbor hill, Aba. Grab samples were collected upstream, midstream and downstream and some physicochemical and microbiological parameters were analyzed in accordance with standard methods for the analysis of water and wastewater. The results were compared with the Nigerian standard for drinking water quality and the national environmental effluent limitation regulations. Turbidity levels (10 -31mg/l) exceeded the maximum permissible levels for drinking water (5mg/l) and may be associated with higher levels of embedded disease-causing microbes and potentially harmful organic and inorganic substances. The biological oxygen demand midstream (1960mg/l) was remarkably high due to the effluent discharged from the abattoirs at that point. Fecal coliforms (3-198MPN/100ml) were detected in all samples, indicating the presence of other potentially harmful microorganisms. The findings of this study indicate that the water is unsuitable for direct drinking water purposes and stringent water quality control measures should be implemented.

Managing the risks and responsibilities of resource companies providing potable water

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 407
Author(s):  
Chris Hewitson ◽  
Eva Dec ◽  
Tony Lines
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Quality Management System ◽  
Water Quality Management ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Beneficial Use ◽  
The Impact

This peer-reviewed paper examines the risks and responsibilities of water providers and the process resource companies should undertake to document how they will deliver a safe and secure water supply to their employees and contractors, and the communities in which they operate, thereby reducing the risks of water quality incidents and managing the impact to the organisation should an incident occur. Water quality incidents can have major impacts to human health and the brand perception of the resource company supplying the water, and can potentially shutdown resource abstraction. Resource companies have a duty of care to provide a secure and safe drinking water supply. This is reinforced by state health departments directing resource organisations to comply with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG), which were updated in 2011 (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2011). Organisations in the CSG industry experience an additional challenge—managing water by-product from gas extraction. There are drivers for the beneficial use of this water—including irrigation, aquifer recharge and municipal supply—resulting in changes to legislation in Queensland (DERM, 2010) that require a process similar to ADWG recommendations, where beneficial use or disposal may impact potable supplies. The ADWG provides clear guidance to potable water providers—whether they are supplying a few consumers or major towns requiring a Drinking Water Quality Management System (DWQM System). This guidance includes documenting a clear process to securing a clean water source, making the water safe to consume and proving it is safe. Developing a DWQM System enables resource companies to understand issues in supplying drinking water through regular review and improvement, while minimising and managing the health risks to consumers.

Institutional Investor Stewardship in the UK and Malaysia: Functionally Similar, Contextually Challenged

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-304
Author(s):  
Petrina Tjin Yi TAN
Keyword(s):  
Institutional Investors ◽  
Institutional Investor ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Shareholder Rights ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
Agency Conflicts ◽  
Investment Companies ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

AbstractInstitutional investors are acknowledged as an influential force in markets worldwide. As a result of increased focus on the impact from the investing and shareholding practices of institutional investors, stewardship codes were first introduced in the UK, followed by Malaysia. This article evaluates the theory and practice of institutional investor stewardship in Malaysia through functional and contextual lenses, as juxtaposed against the more established position of stewardship in the UK. Notwithstanding an analogous legal framework for shareholder rights and the textual similarities of the UK Stewardship Code and Malaysian Code for Institutional Investors, the dominance of government-linked investment companies and government-linked companies in Malaysia results in a distinct set of issues in relation to institutional investor stewardship. This article then argues that the stewardship codes are in themselves insufficient in increasing the quality and scope of institutional investor engagement as they fail to address the underlying agency conflicts between the institutional investors and ultimate beneficiaries or clients. In learning from the UK's experience, it is important that Malaysian policymakers pay attention to the overarching structural factors and incentives driving institutional investor engagement alongside the development and take-up of the stewardship code.

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