The influence of the operational environment on the efficiency of water utilities

Adjusting for the operational environment in studies of performance measurement is very important, otherwise the analysis may lead to unrealistic scores, especially when its influence on costs is high, such as in the water utilities. In this paper, we study the influence of exogenous variables on the water utilities performance by applying conditional efficiency measures based on the order-m method and its probabilistic formulation. We use a sample of 66 water utilities operating between 2002 and 2008, representing about 70% of the Portuguese population. Our research suggests that inefficiency of Portuguese water utilities is substantial for some utilities: several exogenous variables might influence it considerably. For example, regulation has a positive influence on efficiency but when drinking water supply and wastewater services are provided by the same utility or when the wholesale and retail activities are provided together, the performance is lower. The effect of ownership is inconclusive and the variables residential customers, water source, peak factor, and density of customers have a mixed influence on performance which varies according to their scores.     

Fluorine distribution in aquatic environment and its health effect in the Western Region of the Songnen Plain, Northeast China

Endemic fluorosis was investigated and studied in the west region of the Songnen plain, Northeast China in 2001–2002. The results showed that the fluorine distribution in aquatic environment was that the fluorine concentrations in the lake water and unconfined ground water were higher than that in the river water and confined ground water. The lake water (Alkali lake) is connected with unconfined ground water. In unconfined ground water, from the east and southeast areas to the west and the northwest areas of the plain, fluorine concentration fluctuated with high and low alternatively. The fluorine in the water comes from the weathering of rocks and minerals in the mountains and hills around the Songnen Plain. The main influence factors of the fluorine distribution in aquatic environment are discussed. Unconfined ground water containing high fluorine is used as drinking water. In this region, the fluorine concentration in drinking water is evidently correlated to the morbidity of dental and skeletal fluorosis. High fluorine concentration in drinking water has endangered human health.     

A Procedure for NEPA Assessment of Selenium Hazards Associated With Mining

This paper gives step-by-step instructions for assessing aquatic selenium hazards associated with mining. The procedure was developed to provide the U.S. Forest Service with a proactive capability for determining the risk of selenium pollution when it reviews mine permit applications in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The procedural framework is constructed in a decision-tree format in order to guide users through the various steps, provide a logical sequence for completing individual tasks, and identify key decision points. There are five major components designed to gather information on operational parameters of the proposed mine as well as key aspects of the physical, chemical, and biological environment surrounding it — geological assessment, mine operation assessment, hydrological assessment, biological assessment, and hazard assessment. Validation tests conducted at three mines where selenium pollution has occurred confirmed that the procedure will accurately predict ecological risks. In each case, it correctly identified and quantified selenium hazard, and indicated the steps needed to reduce this hazard to an acceptable level. By utilizing the procedure, NEPA workers can be confident in their ability to understand the risk of aquatic selenium pollution and take appropriate action. Although the procedure was developed for the Forest Service it should also be useful to other federal land management agencies that conduct NEPA assessments, as well as regulatory agencies responsible for issuing coal mining permits under the authority of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) and associated Section 401 water quality certification under the Clean Water Act. Mining companies will also benefit from the application of this procedure because priority selenium sources can be identified in relation to specific mine operating parameters. The procedure will reveal the point(s) at which there is a need to modify operating conditions to meet environmental quality goals. By recognizing concerns early in the NEPA process, it may be possible for a mining company to match operational parameters with environmental requirements, thereby increasing the likelihood that the permit application will be approved.     

高校环境专业实验教学存在的问题及对策

实验教学在高校环境专业教学工作中发挥着越来越重要的作用。通过对高校环境专业实验教学的现状和所存在的问题进行分析,提出了优化实验教学内容、改进实验教学方法和考核方式等改进措施,以提高高校环境专业实验教学水平。     

廊坊市生态环境与土地利用协调研究

通过对廊坊市环境容量现状和土地利用与生态环境关系的分析,提出了廊坊市生态适宜的土地利用目标和调控指标,从而构建环境友好型土地利用模式。     

新民居建设中农村环境教育的发展思路

新民居建设是建设社会主义新农村的重要举措,发展农村环境教育能有效促进农村环境的改善。我国农村环境教育目前存在重视程度不够、教育主体和方式相对单一以及缺乏必要的教育目标等问题。在发展农村环境教育方面明确受教育的主体,并从扩大教育实施主体、开展直接教育和间接教育以及增加政府财经投入等方面入手,才能实现经济发展与农村环境改善的协调发展。     

浅谈大学生诚信教育

诚实守信是中华民族的传统美德,是做人的基本道德标准之一。然而,在市场经济的影响下,在社会处于转轨时期的历史条件下,大学生诚信却存在着不少不尽如人意的地方,其产生原因主要是社会环境、学校教育以及家庭教育之间存在着缺失。鉴于此,应从课堂、教师、校园、社会、法制等方面入手,制造诚信氛围,加强大学生的诚信教育。     

遥感技术在矿区生态环境评价中的应用

利用遥感技术对矿区生态环境进行评价是一种新兴的、快速有效的方法.选取肥城矿区为研究区,利用Landsat ETM+遥感影像,通过计算机自动计算与手工屏幕矢量化相结合的方式进行遥感信息提取,统计出肥城矿区各土地利用类型的面积和河流长度.根据统计信息计算各类生态指数,对肥城矿区进行生态环境评价.评价结果显示,肥城矿区生态环境等级为良,基本适合人类生存.     

倡导清洁生产创建绿色作业

文章通过对创建绿色作业队的认识与实践,提出:创建绿色作业必须依靠科技转变方式;整体规划,典型带动;持续改进,重点落实。从而形成创建绿色作业的长效机制。     

某雷达操控台环境工程及可靠性设计

本文主要介绍和分析了某雷达操控台环境工程设计及可靠性技术,根据该雷达的特点及各组成设备,对操控台进行了热环境设计、可靠性、维修性设计、人机工程及电磁兼容设计等,设计分析表明,该雷达操控台能够满足雷达使用要求.