Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
This progress report highlights research activities addressed by the Red River Water Management Consortium (RRWMC) during the period extending from October 1, 2003, through September 30, 2004. The RRWMC operational year extends from June 1 through May 31. Annual research activities of the RRWMC are defined by a work plan based on member-specific needs and input. Results are detailed in the completed annual report cited below. Some of the more significant accomplishments achieved during the reporting period of the grant include the following. Technical assistance was provided to municipalities in developing wastewater pretreatment programs to address discharges of fat, oil, and grease that interfere with the operation of publicly owned treatment works. Technical assistance was also provided in the evaluation and development of phosphorus management plans to reduce the concentration of phosphorus in municipal wastewater discharges to the Red River. Research projects
addressed alternative cover designs to achieve odor control for swine manure storage lagoons. Experiments were conducted to investigate techniques that successfully reduced sulfide emissions from sugar beet refinery wastewaters using iron compounds. Bench-scale testing evaluated the significant potential to generate methane from waste potatoes while reducing wastewater impacts at a french fry production facility. A water audit identified ways to significantly reduce water demand at a corn-processing facility while enhancing a long-term supply for plant needs and preserving environmental quality. Consortium members have requested that the RRWMC continue to investigate water security issues and developments because of potential threats against water and wastewater systems, including intentional contamination, physical destruction, cyber attacks, and interdependencies. The RRWMC is working in cooperation with a local farmer to document the overall effect of subsurface tile drainage on
water quality and quantity. The potential of using off-channel storage of water to satisfy peak day demands for municipalities in times of drought was investigated. The RRWMC provided assistance to the Pembina River Basin Advisory Board in the development of an international watershed management plan addressing transboundary jurisdictional issues. The RRWMC continued its partnership with the Red River Basin Riparian Project, providing a range of activities including geographic information system/global positioning system products and services, data collection and management, and numerous aspects of public education and outreach. A hydrologic investigation into the downstream benefit of retaining water within the Grand Forks County portion of the Goose River Watershed was conducted at the request of the Grand Forks County Water Resource District. Members have requested that the RRWMC continue to monitor total maximum daily load developments throughout the basin and provide technical
input to the Regional Storm Water Coordination Program. Updates to the RRWMC Web page occur on a continual basis, and the RRWMC Newsletter continues to be produced and distributed to nearly 250 interested entities.
Impacts
The Red River Water Management Consortium (RRWMC) program is succeeding as originally envisioned, with an expanding membership composed of vested stakeholders within the Red River Basin. The RRWMC continues to address critical water management issues of its members from a basinwide perspective. Municipal, industrial, and other interested parties benefit from the RRMWC's efforts to provide a forum for the open exchange of issues and ideas and in the development of strategies to resolve water management issues. Coordinated, cooperative water management in the Red River Basin is becoming a reality through these partnerships and spin-off activities developed by the RRWMC and afforded by the financial support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Publications
- Energy & Environmental Research Center, 2004, Red River Water Management Consortium Annual Report: Annual Report (June 2003-May 2004) for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and multiple clients, Grand Forks, North Dakota, Energy & Environmental Research Center, June, 138 p.
- North Dakota Industrial Pretreatment Assistance Program: Presented at the 75th Annual Meeting of the North Dakota Water and Pollution Control Conference, Minot, North Dakota, October 24, 2003.
- Red River Water Management Consortium: Presented at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service National Water Quality Conference, Clearwater, Florida, January 2004.
- RRWMC Newsletter, 2004, v. 4, no. 1.
- RRWMC Newsletter, 2004, v. 4, no. 2.
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