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Helping to Save Our Lakes: Taking Care of Stormwater!!!

May 21, 2012

Many of our neighborhoods in Pennsylvania have beautiful streams and lakes, which are being degraded due to excessive stormwater runoff.

All the Water on Planet Earth

May 17, 2012

How much of planet Earth is made of water? Very little, actually. Although oceans of water cover about 70 percent of Earth's surface, these oceans are shallow compared to the Earth's radius. The above illustration shows what would happen if all of the water on or near the surface of the Earth were bunched up into a ball. The radius of this ball would be only about 700 kilometers, less than half the radius of the Earth's Moon, but slightly larger than Saturn's moon Rhea which, like many moons in our outer Solar System, is mostly water ice. How even this much water came to be on the Earth and whether any significant amount is trapped far beneath Earth's surface remain topics of research.

SRBC Technical Reports on Water Quality Monitoring, Water Availability, Mine Drainage and Other Topics Available Online

May 15, 2012

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Among its major responsibilities, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC, www.srbc.net) is a leader in data collection and analysis for water quality monitoring, mine drainage and water resource availability. SRBC makes its findings readily available to the public both on-line and through printed publications. SRBC’s more recent technical reports available online or by requesting printed copies.

Water Quality Scams

May 14, 2012

A recent article brought to mind how easy it is to be confused about water quality issues as well as potentially lose a lot of money doing things we don’t need to be doing.

Water Found in Swimming Pool Covers Perfect for Mosquitoes

May 7, 2012

This week’s guest blog was written by Tom Smith, West Nile Virus Program Administrator, in the Penn State York County Extension Office. With the early detection of West Nile Virus in a horse already, this may be an active year for mosquitoes. The Pest Ed blog will feature a monthly blog article about a West Nile Virus topic through the Fall.

New Website, Great Learning Resource

May 7, 2012

The Chesapeake Bay Program has launched a new, improved version of its website. The new Bay Program website provides students, educators and members of the public with the latest information about Bay science, wildlife, pollution pressures and restoration efforts. The new website comes complete with countless new resources, including an improved photo library with hundreds of high-resolution images of the Bay and its watershed, wildlife and pollution problems. Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay staff have been instrumental in building the content featured by the site.

Where Did the Water Go?

May 7, 2012

Imagine leaving a hose running into a tank and returning later to find the tank empty instead of full. At best this would be a mystery at worst a serious problem.

APWA Sustainability in Public Works Conference

May 1, 2012

As a public works professional, YOU are vital to the overall well-being of your community. Count yourself among the influential public works and sustainable infrastructure leaders who will join together to share solutions and strategize for the future. This is your chance to gather together and participate in a deep dialogue about public works’ role in creating sustainable communities. June 25-24, Pittsburgh, PA

Dive Deeper is Coming - Save the Date

May 1, 2012

A multi-state environmental education summit spotlighting innovative teaching about water - Attention all informal and formal educators who teach youth about water (environmental educators, nature center directors, scout leader trainers, camp directors, curriculum coordinators, after school program educators, Envirothon coordinators, classroom teachers, extension educators, and more!!) You are invited to SAVE THE DATE, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012, for an affordable day (approximately 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - lunch included) full of great speakers, hands-on workshops, and idea sharing that will enhance your water education programming. Registration for the Dive Deeper Summit is coming soon!! Visit the website to register to receive information. Act 48 Credits will be available. For more information, contact Jennifer Fetter at (717) 921-8803 or 4HWater@psu.edu

Filamentous Algae

April 30, 2012

If you have a pond on your property, you may have already started to see the growth of what looks like green string-like slime on the bottom of your pond. What you probably have is the beginning stages of filamentous algae.

Every Curb is a Shoreline: Responsible Yard and Garden Care to Protect Water Quality

April 23, 2012

The growing season began early this year in Pennsylvania, so that means that many of us have already been hard at work preparing yards and gardens for the impending warmer weather.

Pre-drill Water Quality Data Demonstrates the Importance of Private Water Supply Testing

April 16, 2012

Water testing by the natural gas industry in the Marcellus Shale region is affirming the need for all rural Pennsylvanians to regularly test their private water supply.

DEA Drug Take-Back April 28, 2012

April 11, 2012

There are many excellent reasons to dispose of unwanted medications properly. To encourage proper disposal, the DEA will again be sponsoring Drug Take-Back programs at many sites across Pennsylvania.

New Marcellus Shale Electronic Field Guide

April 9, 2012

Penn State introduces a new online field guide to assist landowners, land managers, and gas companies understand terrestrial challenges facing shale gas development.

Building Your Relationship with Water

April 2, 2012

This spring, get a little closer to the water in your life by making a visit to a stream near you.

Watershed Central Tool

March 27, 2012

Watershed Central provides state, local, and voluntary watershed management entities with the key tools, resources, guidance, and datasets to aide in a successful watershed management. Designed to assist users to develop and implement effective watershed management programs, Watershed Central includes guidance, tools, case studies, and data sets to help you share information, analyze data, and identify opportunities to initiate or strengthen your watershed efforts. Watershed Central includes a wiki feature which allows the user to submit and edit content so that information is constantly updated by the watershed community. The wiki includes case studies, information on watershed organizations and various watershed management tools.

New EPA Document Released for Identifying and Protecting Healthy Watersheds

March 27, 2012

EPA recently released a new technical document titled “Identifying and Protecting Healthy Watersheds: Concepts, Assessments, and Management Approaches.” This document provides state water quality and aquatic resource scientists and managers with an overview of the key concepts behind the Healthy Watersheds Initiative. The initiative is intended to preserve and maintain natural ecosystems by protecting our remaining healthy watersheds, preventing them from becoming impaired and accelerating our restoration successes. Examples of approaches for assessing components of healthy watersheds are provided as well as integrated assessment options for identifying healthy watersheds, examples of management approaches and assessment tools and sources of data. States are encouraged to take a strategic, systems approach to protecting healthy watersheds and preventing future water quality impairments.

Penn State Extension Completes Private Water Well Study in Cameron County

March 26, 2012

Results of a study designed to educate and to encourage private water well owners to regularly test their private water supplies highlight the value of water testing.

Water We Drink Website Offers Resources

March 19, 2012

The Water We Drink: Small Community Outreach Campaign, which offers information about maintaining safe, sustainable, and secure water supplies in small and rural communities, has several articles written especially for those who oversee local water and wastewater services.

Lower Susquehanna River Watershed Assessment Website

March 12, 2012

The LSRWA's mission is to address sediment accumulation behind the Conowingo Dam, and the associated potential for storms to affect water quality and aquatic life in the Chesapeake Bay. This currently is a basic site to contain LSRWA meeting agendas, news, and press releases, and will evolve to have content deemed helpful to the group. However, documents and monitoring site maps would also be of general interest.

USDA Announces New Highly Erodible Cropland Initiative for Conservation Reserve Program

March 12, 2012

On Feb. 21, 2012, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new conservation initiative to protect up to 750,000 acres of the nation’s most highly erodible croplands. Producers can enroll land on a continuous basis beginning this summer at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office. Lands eligible for this program are typically the least productive land on the farm. In many cases the most cost-effective option to reduce erosion is to put the land into a wildlife friendly cover, which will improve habitat and reduce sediment and nutrient runoff and reduce wind erosion. Producers are encouraged to contact their local FSA office or visit FSA’s website for additional information regarding CRP.

Manure Management and the Small Farm

March 12, 2012

Proper Manure Management is a good idea for several reasons. Proper manure applications save you money by reducing fertilizer costs. Proper manure management protects water resources. Finally, proper manure management in Pennsylvania is now the law.

USDA Unveils New Plant Hardiness Zone Map

February 28, 2012

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the new version of its Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PHZM), updating a useful tool for gardeners and researchers for the first time since 1990 with greater accuracy and detail.The new map—jointly developed by USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Oregon State University's (OSU) PRISM Climate Group—is available online.For the first time, the new map offers a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based interactive format and is specifically designed to be Internet-friendly

Chesapeake Bay Manure-to-Energy Summit

February 27, 2012

The summary report of the Chesapeake Bay Manure-to-Energy Summit that took place in September 2011 is available. With over 140 experts in attendance from the Chesapeake Bay region and beyond, the Summit focused not just on the different technologies that are emerging, but more importantly on the public policies that could help to get more of these technologies on the ground in the near term. The report describes 14 different policy options within three categories: Assist market entry; Finance for maximum benefit; Support effective use of by-products. Pennsylvania is already a regional leader in on-farm energy production. However, additional action is needed to fully realize the potential economic and environmental benefits of manure-to-energy systems. Questions or requests for hard copies should be sent to Marel Raub at 717-772-3651 or mraub@chesbay.us.

Stray Gas Investigation in Northern Pennsylvania

February 24, 2012

February 29th webinar will discuss the origin of methane gas found in the groundwater aquifer in a five county area of Pennsylvania. Join us at noon (until 1:00) for this presentation.

Nebraska Grout Study

February 17, 2012

Initiated by a "see through" casing, the study revealed some surprises. All grouts work as expected below the water table. Above the water table grouts vary in their ability to keep surface contaminants from penetrating the aquifer. The two most successful grouts to date were cement-sand and chip bentonite. The study is continuing.

Septic System Failures

February 10, 2012

Owning your own home is challenging enough, what do you do when it comes with its own sewage treatment plant? This article provides some clues for owners of septic systems who want to make them last a very long time.

Drug Take Back Event Set for Saturday, April 28, 2012

January 31, 2012

Get your community signed up to participate in a drug take-back program.

Private Well Maintenance

January 25, 2012

Proper well siting and construction leads to better water quality. Tips for inspecting older wells such as looking for signs of casing failure, the use of grout and the value of a sealed cap are discussed. A worksheet to help evaluate the condition and construction of an older well is discussed and linked.

Interpreting Water Test Results - Upcoming Webinar

January 20, 2012

Learn how to read a water test report. Find out about the most common pollutants and get tips for managing your water system. Get YOUR question answered. January 25, noon to 1 o'clock.

Hard Water? What can be done?

January 16, 2012

Hard water can make deposits on dishes and faucets, cause dingy laundry, and diminish the effectiveness of appliances that heat water. The science of hardness and the mechanics of the ion exchange water softener are explained.

Pennsylvania’s Master Well Owner Network

January 10, 2012

Penn State Master Well Owners reach out to assist adults and children understand the value of proper well location and construction and the importance of proper testing and treatment of their drinking water supply.