Browsing by Author "Wagner, Kevin"
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Item Bacteria Runoff BMPs for Intensive Beef Cattle Operations(Texas Water Resources Institute, 2010-12) Wagner, Kevin; Redmon, Larry; Gentry, TerryAccording to the 2008 Water Quality Inventory and 303(d) List, 291 of the 516 impairments (i.e. 56%) were the result of excessive bacteria. Modeling and bacteria source tracking has identified grazing cattle as a source of this bacterial contamination. To help address this, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funded this project to evaluate the effect of stocking rate on pathogen transport from beef cattle operations and develop guidance for landowners on restoring water quality. The project included three tasks: (1) Project Coordination and Administration, (2) Assess Bacteria Runoff from Intensively Managed Beef Cattle Operations, and (3) Technical Transfer. Task 1, Project Coordination and Administration, consisted of the Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) preparing and submitting eleven quarterly progress reports and the final project report, holding 25 coordination meetings, and submitting 12 invoices. To evaluate the impact of grazing management on bacterial runoff (Task 2), TWRI and Texas AgriLife Extension Service (AgriLife Extension) installed three 1-hectare watershed sites at the Texas A&M University Beef Cattle Systems Center (BCSC), located near College Station. Sites were bermed and equipped with 90o v-notch weirs, ISCO® samplers with bubble flow meters, and a rain gage. TWRI and AgriLife Extension maintained these watershed sites for two years, conducting over 30 site visits. A variety of stocking rates were evaluated. Site BB1 was ungrazed. Site BB2 was stocked at typical stocking rates (SR) for the area (i.e., 3-4 acres per animal unit [AU]). Site BB3 was stocked at a rate twice that of site BB2. Over the course of the project, six grazing treatments were conducted at sites BB2 and BB3. From November 2008 through October 2010, TWRI and AgriLife Extension assessed bacterial concentrations and runoff volume from the watershed sites. E. coli concentrations at all sites greatly exceeded Texas Water Quality Standards. Even at the ungrazed site, non-domesticated animals (i.e., feral hogs) and wildlife significantly impacted E. coli levels preventing attainment of water quality standards, thus indicating the difficulty in achieving standards during runoff events due to background loadings. Data also indicated moderate stocking does not significantly increase E. coli levels above background levels and suggests that 67-85% reductions in E. coli levels may be achieved by converting from heavy to moderate stocking rates. It was also found that pastures stocked heavier than 10 acres per AU should be the primary focus of implementation efforts in this and similar environments. Our data indicated (1) stocking at rates heavier than 10 acres per AU (as is much of the improved pastureland in Texas) may increase E. coli concentrations in runoff while (2) stocking at rates less than 10 acres per AU (much of the rangeland in Texas) does not yield higher E. coli levels than ungrazed pastures. Finally, data show that runoff events occurring while the sites were stocked or within two weeks of them being stocked produced the highest E. coli concentrations; thus, it is recommended grazing in creek pastures be deferred during rainy periods. Within two weeks of grazing, E. coli levels had fallen substantially and after 30 days, E. coli values had declined to background levels. The findings and recommendations regarding appropriate stocking rates/grazing management to minimize bacterial runoff into surface waters of Texas are being included in a fact sheet, presentation, and other resources that will become part of the Lone Star Healthy Streams Beef Cattle Resource Manual. Throughout this project a series of educational programs conducted through the Lone Star Healthy Streams Program transferred information regarding bacterial runoff and conservation practices for reducing it to livestock producers at over 60 programs around the state. Additionally, the website reached 1,038 unique visitors since its inception. These programs have increased awareness of bacterial runoff from beef cattle grazing operations and conservation practices designed to reduce bacterial loading to Texas streams and water ways. Much work remains to be done. The applicability of water quality standards during runoff events should be evaluated in light of the findings of this study; more data is needed to evaluate the impact of stocked pastures on bacterial runoff; work is needed to assess the impacts of continuous grazing on E. coli runoff; and transfer of this information to cattlemen throughout Texas must continue.Item Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load Task Force Final Report(Texas Water Resources Institute, 2009-01) Ward, George; Srinivasan, Raghavan; Rifai, Hanadi; Mott, Joanna; Hauck, Larry; Di Giovanni, George; Wagner, Kevin; Jones, C. AllanIn September 2006, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) charged a seven-person Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Task Force with: * examining approaches that other states use to develop and implement bacteria TMDLs, * recommending cost-effective and time-efficient methods for developing TMDLs, * recommending effective approaches for developing TMDL Implementation Plans (I-Plans), * evaluating a variety of models and bacteria source tracking (BST) methods available for developing TMDLs and I-Plans, and recommending under what conditions certain methods are more appropriate, and * developing a roadmap for further scientific research needed to reduce uncertainty about how bacteria behave under different water conditions in Texas. The Task Force, assisted by an Expert Advisory Group of approximately 50 stakeholders and agency staff, held two two-hour meetings/teleconferences and developed two drafts of the report. These drafts were shared by e-mail and on a Web site and feedback received from the Expert Advisory Group was also made available on the Web site. The Task Force report describes the characteristics, as well as some of the strengths and weaknesses of several models that have been used and/or are under development to assist bacteria TMDL and I-Plan analysis. These include: * load duration curves (LDC), * spatially explicit statistical models, including Arc Hydro, SPARROW and SELECT, * the mass balance models BLEST and BIT, and * the mechanistic hydrologic/water quality models HSPF, SWAT, SWMM and WASP. The Task Force report also describes and makes recommendations for effective use of BST methods that have been used in Texas and elsewhere for TMDL development. These include ERIC-PCR, Ribotyping, PFGE, KB-ARA, CSU and Bacteroidales PCR. Based on recent experience in Texas and elsewhere, the Task Force recommends using library-independent methods like Bacteriodales PCR for preliminary qualitative analyses and more expensive and time-consuming library-dependent methods if more quantitative data are required for TMDL or I-Plan development. Based on the discussions of bacteria models and source tracking, as well as extensive input from the Expert Advisory Group, the Task Force recommends a three-tier approach to implementing bacteria TMDLs and I-Plans. Tier 1 is a one-year process that includes the formation of a representative stakeholder group, development of a comprehensive geographic information system (GIS) of the watershed, a survey of potential bacterial sources, calculation of load duration curves from existing monitoring data and analysis by agency personnel and stakeholders of data collected for Tier 1. After reviewing information from Tier 1, the group may choose to complete and submit a draft TMDL for agency approval, request an evaluation of the designated use of the water body (an use attainability analysis) or proceed to Tier 2. Tier 2 is a one-to-two-year effort designed to collect targeted monitoring data to fill gaps in previously collected data, conduct qualitative library-independent BST data to determine whether humans and/or a few major classes of animals are sources and develop simple spatially explicit or mass balance models of bacteria in the watershed. After analysis of Tier 1 and Tier 2 data, the group may chose to complete and submit the draft TMDL (or I-Plan if a TMDL was developed after Tier 1), request an evaluation of the designated use (an use attainability analysis), or initiate a “phased TMDL” and proceed with Tier 3 analysis. Tier 3 is a two-to-three-year process designed to continue strong stakeholder involvement, implement more extensive targeted monitoring, conduct quantitative library-dependent BST analysis and develop a detailed hydrologic/water quality model for the watershed. Tier 3 should be implemented only when this level of detailed analysis is needed for I-Plan development or for TMDL development for particularly complex watersheds for which consensus cannot be reached after Tier 2. The Task Force emphasizes that the agencies and stakeholders may choose to deviate from these recommendations if they reach consensus that a more time- and cost-effective approach is feasible. The Task Force concludes its report by summarizing a number of research activities needed to strengthen the scientific tools available for TMDL and I-Plan development. The needed research falls into the following categories: characterization of sources, characterization of kinetic rates and transport mechanisms, enhancements to bacteria fate and transport models and bacteria source tracking, determination of effectiveness of control mechanisms and quantification of uncertainty and risk.Item Education Program for Improved Water Quality in Copano Bay Task Two Report(Texas Water Resources Institute, 2009) Wagner, Kevin; Moench, EmilyThe Education Program for Improved Water Quality in Copano Bay is funded through a Clean Water Act §319(h) Nonpoint Source Grant from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (TSSWCB Project 06-08). The goal of the project is to improve water quality in Copano Bay and its tributaries by increasing awareness of the water quality issues throughout the watershed and providing education and demonstrations for land and livestock owners on methods to decrease or prevent bacteria from entering the waterways.Item Field Demonstration of the Performance of a Geotube® Dewatering System to Reduce Phosphorus and Other Substances from Dairy Lagoon Effluent(Texas Water Resources Institute, 2009-01) Mukhtar, Saqib; Wagner, Kevin; Gregory, LucasTwo upper North Bosque River segments were designated as impaired in 1998 due to point source and nonpoint source (NPS) pollution of phosphorus (P) to these segments in the watershed. As a result, two Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) were applied which called for the reduction of annual loading and annual average soluble reactive P (SRP) concentrations by about 50%. This demonstration was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a prospective new technology, the Geotube® dewatering system that may aid dairy farmers in reducing P from lagoon effluent to be applied to waste application fields and thus reducing NPS pollution. In this Geotube® dewatering system, effluent is pumped from the dairy lagoon using a PTO-driven chopper pump into a PVC pipe with a series of elbows that facilitate thorough mixing of the chemical pretreatment. Alum and a polymer are added to the effluent agglomerate solids and precipitate P as it flows through the elbows to the Geotubes®. Two 14’ x 50’ geotextile fabric tubes were installed on a 6 millimeter impermeable polyethylene sheet next to a primarily dairy lagoon that received flushed manure. After the tubes were filled, they were allowed to dewater for a period of 6 months. Rainwater typically sheds off of the tubes and does not soak into the tubes. At the first two sampling events in March and April 2005, samples of the dairy lagoon effluent, the lagoon effluent after the addition of the chemical pre-treatment, and the effluent dewatering from the tubes were taken and flow rates into the tube were measured. At the last sampling event in October 2005, samples of residuals and depth of the dewatered residuals were taken from both tubes. Samples from the three events were analyzed for concentration of solids, nutrients, metals and pH. Results showed that the Geotube® dewatering system performed very well in filtering solids from the dairy lagoon effluent, removing an average of 93.5% of the total solids between the two pumping and dewatering events of March and April. It was effective in removing nutrients and metals as well. The average percent reduction of SRP for the two events was very high at 85%. It should be noted that these findings were limited to the sampling of the tubes in March and April and the tubes continued to dewater for several months. Therefore, any changes in the concentration of the dewatering effluent, volatilizing solids and precipitating substances after the sampling events could not be accounted for. A brief economic analysis of this dewatering system was furnished by the technology provider. Cost estimates for a long-term dewatering system were $90,000 to treat 1.9 million gallons of dairy lagoon effluent containing 15+ years worth of nutrients and solids that settled to the bottom of the lagoon at a 2000 head lactating cow open-lot dairy. This estimate includes all capital and operating costs except removal of residual solids. Costs will vary depending on the size of the dairy and the length of time between lagoon treatments using Geotubes®.Item Field Demonstration of the Performance of an Electrocoagulation System to Reduce Phosphorus and Other Substances from Dairy Lagoon Effluent(Texas Water Resources Institute, 2009-01) Mukhtar, Saqib; Gregory, Lucas; Wagner, KevinTwo upper North Bosque River segments were designated as impaired in 1998 due to point source and nonpoint source (NPS) pollution of phosphorus (P) to these segments in the watershed. As a result, two Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) were applied which called for the reduction of annual loading and annual average soluble reactive P (SRP) concentrations by an average of 50%. This demonstration was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a prospective new technology, an Electrocoagulation (EC) system, to potentially aid the dairy farmers in meeting the goals set by the TMDLs. This EC system used chemical pre-treatment to coagulate and separate solids in slurry pumped from the dairy lagoon, the liquid then flowed over charged iron electrodes giving off ions that cause coagulation and precipitation of P and other metals. The configuration of the system and its components varied from event to event. To accommodate these changes, the points at which samples were taken varied as well. At all sampling events, samples were taken from the lagoon effluent, the lagoon effluent after the addition of the chemical pre-treatments, the effluent from the EC system and the residual solids. Samples were also taken where the mixture exited the centrifuge after it was added to aid in removing solids. These samples were sent to the lab where they were analyzed for solids, nutrients, metals, pH, and conductivity. In order for the EC unit to function properly, the technology provider removed large amounts of solids from the raw lagoon effluent even though its solid concentration was a low 0.6 mg/L. By the time the treated effluent reached the EC unit, concentrations of many analytes were so low it is hard to conclude whether or not it is an effective component for treating dairy lagoon effluent. Samples of effluent from the centrifuge indicated that it was the most efficient component in the system as it removed larger amounts of solids, as well as more of the nutrients and metals than any other component in the system. Overall, the performance of the system was sporadic from event to event, which may be attributed to the changes in the system that occurred. However, it was consistently effective in reducing total phosphorus (TP) and SRP, on average reducing these constituents by 96% and 99.6% respectively from the dairy lagoon effluent. Some uncertainty surrounds the efficacy of this system to reduce both TP and SRP so efficiently because both these and other nutrients are not stable and do change form. Economic data shows that costs to treat dairy lagoon effluent were $0.12 per gallon ($120 per 1,000 gallons). This cost did not include removal of residual material from the farm and will vary depending on the number of cows and volume of process generated influent entering the lagoon. This price per gallon is considerably higher than traditional methods of sludge treatment that range from $5 to $32 per 1,000 gallons of treated effluent.Item Texas Watershed Planning Short Course Final Report(Texas Water Resources Institute, 2010-08) Wagner, KevinProper training of watershed coordinators and water professionals is needed to ensure that watershed protection efforts are adequately planned, coordinated and implemented. To provide this training, the Texas Watershed Planning Short Course was developed through a coordinated effort led by the Texas Water Resources Institute and funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The Texas Water Resources Institute partnered with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas AgriLife Research, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Texas State University-River Systems Institute and the Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research to develop and conduct this short course. Since 2008, four week-long Watershed Planning Short Courses have been hosted, providing training to over 160 watershed professionals on sustainable proactive approaches to managing water quality throughout the state. The Watershed Planning Short Course provides guidance on stakeholder coordination, education, and outreach; meeting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s nine key elements of a watershed protection plan; data collection and analysis; and the tools available for plan development. Along with the Watershed Planning Short Courses, water professionals were invited to attend Texas Watershed Coordinator Roundtables, held biannually, to (1) provide a forum for establishing and maintaining dialogue between watershed coordinators, (2) facilitate interactive solutions to common watershed issues faced throughout the state, and (3) add to the fundamental knowledge conveyed at the short courses. More than 250 water professionals attended the four Texas Watershed Coordinator Roundtables held in Temple, Georgetown and Dallas. Topics of discussion included sustainable organizational structure for long-term watershed protection plan implementation; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 6 review guide of watershed-based plans; strategies and expectations for demonstrating successful implementation and financing watershed protection plans. Additional workshops also offered to further familiarize watershed coordinators with watershed management tools provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency included Getting In Step Workshops and Key EPA Internet Tools for Watershed Management courses. The Getting In Step Workshop aims to improve the effectiveness of nonpoint source outreach in Texas and the internet tools course familiarizes users with online watershed management tools provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. More than 90 watershed professionals participated in four Getting In Step Workshops offered in Houston, Austin, Dallas and Georgetown. Nearly 40 watershed professionals participated in the two Key EPA Internet Tools for Watershed Management courses offered in San Marcos and Dallas. Also, the Texas Water Resources Institute coordinated with Wildland Hydrology to provide an Applied Fluvial Geomorphology Short Course with 40 water resource professionals participating to better understand the fundamentals and general principles of river behavior. To assist watershed professionals in searching for funding programs, the Texas Water Resources Institute worked with the Environmental Finance Center at Boise State University to update the Directory of Watershed Resources to include Texas-specific funding programs. The Environmental Finance Center Network is an EPA-sponsored, university-based program providing financial outreach services. The Directory of Watershed Resources is an on-line, searchable database for watershed restoration funding. The database includes information on federal, state, private, and other funding sources and assistance and allows Texas users to query information in a variety of ways including by agency sponsor or keyword, or by a detailed search. In total, the combined courses, workshops and meetings have reached out to more than 350 watershed coordinators and water professionals and will continue to do so by hosting biannual Watershed Coordinator Roundtable meetings and training opportunities.