Development of a risk-based index for source water protection planning, which supports the reduction of pathogens from agricultural activity entering water resources

Source water protection planning (SWPP) is an approach to prevent contamination of ground and surface water in watersheds where these resources may be abstracted for drinking or used for recreation. For SWPP the hazards within a watershed that could contribute to water contamination are identified together with the pathways that link them to the water resource. In rural areas, farms are significant potential sources of pathogens. A risk-based index can be used to support the assessment of the potential for contamination following guidelines on safety and operational efficacy of processes and practices developed as beneficial approaches to agricultural land management. Evaluation of the health risk for a target population requires knowledge of the strength of the hazard with respect to the pathogen load (massxconcentration). Manure handling and on-site wastewater treatment systems form the most important hazards, and both can comprise confined and unconfined source elements. There is also a need to understand the modification of pathogen numbers (attenuation) together with characteristics of the established pathways (surface or subsurface), which allow the movement of the contaminant species from a source to a receptor (water source). Many practices for manure management have not been fully evaluated for their impact on pathogen survival and transport in the environment. A key component is the identification of potential pathways of contaminant transport. This requires the development of a suitable digital elevation model of the watershed for surface movement and information on local groundwater aquifer systems for subsurface flows. Both require detailed soils and geological information. The pathways to surface and groundwater resources can then be identified. Details of land management, farm management practices (including animal and manure management) and agronomic practices have to be obtained, possibly from questionnaires completed by each producer within the watershed. To confirm that potential pathways are active requires some microbial source tracking. One possibility is to identify the molecular types of Escherichia coli present in each hazard on a farm. An essential part of any such index is the identification of mitigation strategies and practices that can reduce the magnitude of the hazard or block open pathways.     

A framework for valuing the health benefits of improved bathing water quality in the River Irvine catchment

A simple model predicting bathing water concentrations of Escherichia coli from livestock in the Irvine catchment in SW Scotland has been adapted for intestinal enterococci (IE). This has been used to predict risk of bather illness by extrapolation of published data on bather IE exposure vs incidence of gastro-enteritis. Simulated reduction in the risk of illness by reduced faecal loading was multiplied by a willingness to pay for risk reduction to estimate the annual benefits of mitigation. Health benefits of reducing loading by 75% at Irvine Beach were estimated by a willingness to pay method to be about pound 276k pa. Estimated annualised costs of diffuse pollution mitigation measures across the catchment were higher (> pound 1m), and it is very unlikely that 75% mitigation is achievable with current stocking rates. Further work should explore the influence of uncertainty of model parameters, and use emerging epidemiological information on specific zoonotic pathogens such as E. coli O157 and Cryptosporidium. Other components of the value of clean water should also be included to obtain a complete estimate of the cost:benefit of mitigation.     

Enhancing community-based disaster preparedness with information technology

A critical component of community-based disaster preparedness (CBDP) is a local resource database of suppliers providing physical, information and human resources for use in disaster response. Maintenance of such a database can become a collaborative responsibility among community-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and public and private community organisations. In addition to mobilising resources, this process raises awareness within the community and aids in assessing local knowledge and resources. This paper presents the results of a pilot study on implementing a community-based resource database through collaboration with local American Red Cross chapters and public and private community organisations. The design of the resource database is described. The resource database is accessible via the internet and offline using laptops and handheld Personal Digital Assistants. The study concludes that CBDP is strengthened through a combination of appropriate information technology and collaborative relationships between NGOs and community-based organisations.     

基于现代信息技术的城市灾害应急管理系统

城市灾害应急管理系统是一项复杂的大系统工程。本文着重从应急管理过程中的应急资源调配、应急预案制定等方面阐述了现代信息技术在城市灾害应急管理中的应用与优势。认为应急管理信息系统的建立目的不是为了预测和估算,而应是当灾害发生时,对已造成的灾情局面做出快速的辅助决策支持。基于此,利用SuperMapObject5.0,Visual Basic6.0,SQL Server2000等现代信息技术软件,以辅助决策、资源快速查询以及生命线管网易损处调查为目的,本文建立了一个局部地区灾害应急管理信息系统。系统的数据库建立更突出了为应急管理服务所需的基础信息、空间数据、应急预案和应急资源等信息划分方式;结合已有的震害预测理论和方法,开发了供水系统和交通系统的震害预测模块,事先为灾害应急决策提供可能的震害信息。系统的开发过程进一步证明了GIS在城市灾害应急管理中有着直观显示、容易操作、辅助准确决策等优势。     

火电厂自行监测关键问题研究

分析了我国火电厂自行监测的现状及存在的问题,包括监测指标不全、监测频次不足、监测点位代表性不够、信息公开不规范等。从监测方案和信息记录2个方面,针对废气、废水、厂界噪声、周边环境质量等的监测点位、监测指标和监测频次,以及监测信息、生产和污染治理设施运行状况、工业固体废物的记录要求,提出了相应的技术建议。     

区域环境风险评估研究进展

简述了区域环境风险及区域环境风险评估的内涵,以及国内外区域环境风险评估研究发展进程及现状,指出了现阶段区域环境风险评估存在的问题,提出应重点开展区域环境风险发生机理、定量表征区域环境风险方法等研究的展望。     

基于3G网络平台的环保移动执法系统构建

从当前环保现场执法所面临的手段落后、执法尺度不一等实际问题出发,构建了一套依托于3G无线通信平台的移动执法系统。该系统采用先进的网络通讯技术,借助执法终端PDA手机,可实现在执法现场实时查询环保动、静态信息,录入、打印检查笔录及执法表单等功能,实现环保监察部门统一执法、规范执法流程、提高执法效率的最终目标。     

基于MapX的污染源普查GIS软件开发实例

污染源普查数据面广量大,且含有准确的地理信息,但国家统一开发的普查数据应用软件中没有集成GIS分析功能。东台市环保局在对污染源普查数据的应用中,以Delphi为编程工具,调用污染源普查数据库,基于MapX实现了一款简易的污染源普查GIS应用软件,介绍了MapX特点及其应用、数据接口方法及系统的实现等。     

水环境监测信息集成、共享与决策支持平台构建

以水环境监测数据可靠传输交换与集成、信息规范化处理分析、高效共享与决策支持为应用主线,对水环境监测信息集成、共享与决策支持平台的建设目标、总体架构、主要功能进行了研究,设计了平台的总体架构及主要功能,以实现涉水部门水环境信息的采集、传输、交换、存储、分析、发布、共享、展现等,为环境管理与决策人员、为公众、为各级(国家级流域级省级地市级县级)环境监测业务人员提供信息支撑。     

环境监测生产性及业务创新探讨

探讨了环境监测的生产性问题。监测主体的生产性,即社会化大生产及其排污是环境监测的本源和主体;监测过程的生产性,即环境监测是社会化生产过程;监测价值的生产性,即环境监测价值通过环境监测信息产品的使用价值来实现。针对环境监测业务中逆生产性问题,明确了环境监测业务发展3大方向,即加强污染源监测、发挥环境监测生产能力和提升环境监测信息产品使用价值。提出了创新环境监测站生产方式、发展社会监测力量和加强监测行业监管的建议。