From the Proceedings of the 1988 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Association and the Hydrology Section - Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science - April 16, 1988, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

Complete issue of the Proceedings of the 1988 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Association and the Hydrology Section - Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science - April 16, 1988, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

From the Proceedings of the 1989 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Association and the Hydrology Section - Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science - April 15, 1989, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada

From the Proceedings of the 1988 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Association and the Hydrology Section - Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science - April 16, 1988, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

From the Proceedings of the 1988 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Association and the Hydrology Section - Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science - April 16, 1988, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona / The State of Arizona recently implemented virus and parasite standards for discharge and reuse of effluent. This study monitored for two years the enterovirus and Giardia content of reuse effluent from several Arizona wastewater treatment facilities. All treatment facilities met the restricted access irrigation virus standard of 125 enteric virus/40 L, but most plants would have to upgrade their treatment for open access year -round reuse which has a 1 enteric virus/40 L standard. Up to 43% of samples from facilities with primary treatment and oxidation ponds were positive and exceeded 1 enteric virus/40 L. Also, 27% of secondary (activated sludge) effluent samples, which were sand filtered and disinfected by ultraviolet light, were positive and exceeded the 1 enteric virus/40 L standard. Plants using sand filtration and /or chlorine disinfection of activated sludge effluent had the fewest positive samples (20% positive and only 12.5% exceeded 1 enteric virus/40 L). Parasites are monitored for presence or absence in recommended volumes. Giardia monitoring is required for effluent intended for food crop irrigation or full body contact recreation categories.

From the Proceedings of the 1988 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Association and the Hydrology Section - Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science - April 16, 1988, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona / The University of Arizona, under a contract from the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), investigated water contamination problems in six Southwestern States -- Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. A variety of surface and groundwater problems were encountered, including 1) high total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations, 2) contamination by organic compounds, 3) contamination due to high concentrations of inorganic compounds, 4) biological contamination, 5) radioactive contamination, and 6) toxic and hazardous waste disposal. Literature and computer searches provided an overview of existing problems, but no central depository of information on water contamination problems was found to exist. Specific information was obtained from federal, state, and local government agencies concerned with water quality. Data were collected via telephone interviews, letters, and in- person office visits. Limitations inherent in these data collection methods included, 1) not knowing if all the correct contacts were made concerning a specific problem or site, 2) inability to ascertain whether all contacts were willing and /or able to supply complete, accurate, and updated information, 3) possible bypassing of important data sources, and 4) delays in receiving reports and materials by mail from telephone contacts. Findings indicate that many localities in the Southwest have water contamination problems in some form; more than sixty sites have been described to date.

From the Proceedings of the 1988 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Association and the Hydrology Section - Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science - April 16, 1988, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona / The availability of quality water is an important issue facing the residents of Tucson, Arizona and several communities in the Southwestern United States. As cities continue to grow, more emphasis is being placed on the importance of adopting efficient water use practices and behaviors. A water conservation demonstration, education, and research single family residence named Casa del Agua (Spanish for House of Water) has been established in Tucson, Arizona. Water conservation information is presented to the public via oral and video presentations and a guided tour of the perimeter of the residence. A questionnaire is given to the visitors as they arrive for the tour. The responses to this questionnaire make it possible to determine the types of water conservation behavior being practiced by the visitors to Casa del Agua. Water conservation attitude questions were also included in the questionnaires as were questions about several water issues. From this preliminary study, it has been determined that the levels of adoption of water conservation behaviors have been low to modest. It appears that many of the visitors to Casa del Agua have about the same level of knowledge concerning water conservation as the general public, although the random survey data for the Tucson area has yet to be analyzed. A comparison was made of similar questions asked in a random survey conducted in the Phoenix metropolitan area March 17 -20, 1988. Some of the findings include: 1) The amounts of self- reported water conservation behavior adoption are similar, although the residents of the Phoenix area seem to report a slightly higher percentage of water conservation practices being implemented. 2) Few respondents from either survey indicated they have attended a water conservation demonstration or workshop. 3) Negative public perceptions of water utilities need to be addressed. 4) Water conservation programs that include economic incentives are favored by both survey populations.

From the Proceedings of the 1989 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Association and the Hydrology Section - Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science - April 15, 1989, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada / The prehistoric Indian population in Las Vegas Valley found abundant water for their needs from springs flowing from the base of numerous fault scarps throughout the valley. The faults are generally considered to be compaction faults caused in part by subsidence resulting from dewatering aquifers as the climate became dry and warm during the interglacial periods of the Pleistocene. The valley's aquifers, for historical purposes, eventually reached steady state conditions which lasted through nearly the first half of this century. Urban growth then created a demand for water that was satisfied by overdrafting the ground-water system, which reactivated subsidence. Today, subsidence effects cover about 1,000-1,300 km² of the valley and the maximum vertical displacement is about 1.5 m. As the demand for water continued to increase with population, large imports from the Colorado River via Lake Mead provided abundant water, which helped create additional hazards: a rising shallow water table, resulting from over irrigating landscapes (secondary recharge), intersects land surface in places in the central and eastern part of the valley creating a hazard to structures and facilities; the potential increases in liquefaction; and, the potential for degradation of the deep aquifers from downward percolation of the poorer quality water from the shallow system.

From the Proceedings of the 1989 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Association and the Hydrology Section - Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science - April 15, 1989, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada / Bottom sediments from several urban lakes located in the Phoenix metropolitan area were collected and analyzed for organic priority pollutants. The lakes selected for analysis were broadly representative of the diversity of lake characteristics found in the Phoenix area. That is, lakes were sampled that had different types of primary water sources and that were located in watersheds of differing degrees of urbanization. Preliminary results indicate that only nine of the 114 listed organic priority pollutants were found in measurable quantities in the sediments of the lakes surveyed. The pollutants detected were either phthalate esters or volatile or semi-volatile halogenated compounds. None of the pollutants were common to all the lakes sampled. Dibutyl phthalate was detected in three of the six lakes. A larger database is being developed and will be necessary to determine whether a statistical correlation exists between watershed characteristics and feedwater, and organic composition of lake sediments.

From the Proceedings of the 1989 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Association and the Hydrology Section - Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science - April 15, 1989, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada