scholarly journals Effectiveness of Voluntary Measures to Reduce Agricultural Impact on Groundwater as a Source for Drinking Water: Lessons Learned from Cases in the Dutch Provinces Overijssel and Noord-Brabant

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 3278
Author(s):  
Cors van den Brink ◽  
Marije Hoogendoorn ◽  
Koos Verloop ◽  
Alma de Vries ◽  
Peter Leendertse

Agricultural practices cause diffuse water pollution issues, which is a policy concern across the globe. This paper addresses the reduction in agricultural impact on groundwater as source for drinking water with a governance approach based on a mutual gains approach (MGA) using voluntary measures only. We performed case studies in Overijssel and in Noord-Brabant, both located in the Netherlands, to study the effectiveness of the governance approach on nutrients and pesticides, respectively. The effectiveness was studied by analyzing the engagement process qualitatively and by analyzing the impact of measures at farm scale as quantitative indicators. For nutrients, the effectiveness is expressed in the N-surplus at farm scale and the realization of groundwater quality objectives in groundwater protection areas (GWPA). For pesticides, the effectiveness is expressed in environmental impact points (EIP) at farm scale and the level of groundwater protection areas (GWPA). The results indicate that the engagement process based on voluntariness creates a platform for meaningful engagement, adds to the economics of the farm and reduces the agricultural impact on groundwater quality. However, the nitrate objectives of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) are not met at the level of GWPAs in Overijssel. Due to the voluntariness of the approach, the participation rate relies on the farmers’ expectation of the costs and benefits of the process, and diminishing economic returns prevent the further improvement of efficient nutrient use. Although an enforceable objective and strict deadline for pesticides is missing, the objective has been met at the level of GWPAs using voluntary measures only in Noord-Brabant. An important driver for this effectiveness is the fact that these results can be obtained without incurring economic losses, which may tie into the high participation rate of farmers.

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 584-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carine Dubuisson ◽  
Ariane Dufour ◽  
Sandrine Carrillo ◽  
Peggy Drouillet-Pinard ◽  
Sabrina Havard ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveAssessing dietary exposure or nutrient intakes requires detailed dietary data. These data are collected in France by the cross-sectional Individual and National Studies on Food Consumption (INCA). In 2014–2015, the third survey (INCA3) was launched in the framework of the European harmonization process which introduced major methodological changes. The present paper describes the design of the INCA3 survey, its participation rate and the quality of its dietary data, and discusses the lessons learned from the methodological adaptations.DesignTwo representative samples of adults (18–79 years old) and children (0–17 years old) living in mainland France were selected following a three-stage stratified random sampling method using the national census database.SettingFood consumption was collected through three non-consecutive 24 h recalls (15–79 years old) or records (0–14 years old), supplemented by an FFQ. Information on food supplement use, eating habits, physical activity and sedentary behaviours, health status and sociodemographic characteristics were gathered by questionnaires. Height and body weight were measured.ParticipantsIn total, 4114 individuals (2121 adults, 1993 children) completed the whole protocol.ResultsParticipation rate was 41·5% for adults and 49·8% for children. Mean energy intake was estimated as 8795 kJ/d (2102 kcal/d) in adults and 7222 kJ/d (1726 kcal/d) in children and the rate of energy intake under-reporters was 17·8 and 13·9%, respectively.ConclusionsFollowing the European guidelines, the INCA3 survey collected detailed dietary data useful for food-related and nutritional risk assessments at national and European level. The impact of the methodological changes on the participation rate should be further studied.


2022 ◽  
Vol 964 (1) ◽  
pp. 012008
Author(s):  
Quang Khai Ha ◽  
Mai Van Le Thi ◽  
Phu Le Vo ◽  
Hong Quan Nguyen ◽  
Abhijit Mukherjee

Abstract Groundwater serves as the major source for drinking water and the only fresh water source in the dry season in Ca Mau province, the Vietnamese Mekong Delta. The study is performed to assess groundwater quality in the area. Groundwater Quality Index (GWQI), magnesium hazard (MH), sodium percentage (Na%), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), permeability index (PI) combined with geostatistical tools were conducted by using groundwater quality data from 400 samples collected from private wells. GWQI values suggest that 7%, 63%, 28%, 2%, 1% of total samples are classified into excellent, good, poor, very poor and unsuitable for drinking water. High Cl and TDS are the main cause of high GWQI values suggesting that saltwater intrusion deteriorates groundwater quality. For irrigation purposes, 4%, 17%, 36%, 43% of total samples classify into Good, Permissible, Doubtful, Unsuitable respectively by Na% indicator; 55.0%, 30.9%, 11.9%, 2.2% of total samples is Excellent, Good, Doubtful and Unsuitable according to SAR, 54% samples are unsuitable by MH index, and all samples are good by PI. This study provides useful information on groundwater quality for various purposes in Ca Mau province, that could help water management and water users to identify the necessary approach for groundwater protection and water-treatment methods before utilising the groundwater source for specific purposes in the study area.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-63
Author(s):  
R. E. Sam-Uroupa ◽  
E. A. Ogbeibu

Municipal waste dumpsites contain pollutants which are either water-solution or are capable of being moved along the path of water during percolation through the soil to groundwater. This study was therefore carried out to investigate the impact of solid waste dump-sites in Benin City on the receiving groundwater quality. Four stations were chosen for this study, with each station located within one Local Government Area. These stations were dump-sites at Ikhueniro (station 1), Costain (station 2) and Ugbioyoko (station 3). Omaghe (station 4) was used as the control station without waste dumpsite. Soil samples were collected at three distances from the dump-sites of 0-50m, 50-100m, >100m at 0-30cm depth of top soil and analyzed while the boreholes used were within 120m radius from the dump-sites. This investigation spanned from July 2011 to December 2011. Results showed that water samples were found to be enriched with heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni and V) more than the control water sample; these were however within WHO and FMEnv. regulatory limits for drinking water. The mean pH values of the sampled water fluctuated between 4.50 and 5.57 and were not within the WHO and FMEnv. regulatory limits of 6.5 to 8.5 set for drinking water. ANOVA revealed a highly significant difference (p < 0.01) between the means of the following water parameters; Ca, Na, K, Mg, electric conductivity, Salinity, HCO3, and total soluble solids. The Kruskal-Wallis Test revealed that aerobic bacterial count was significant (p < 0.05) with the highest mean value in station 1 (17.17 x102 cfu/ml) and lowest mean value in station 4 (6.00x102 cfu/ml). Seasonal pattern of variations was observed for water samples examined.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saadu Umar Wali ◽  
Ibrahim Mustapha Dankani ◽  
Sheikh Danjuma Abubakar ◽  
Murtala Abubakar Gada ◽  
Kabiru Jega Umar ◽  
...  

This review attempted a detailed description of geological and hydrogeological configurations of Cross River and Imo-Akwa Ibo basins. It presented a synthesis of hydrochemistry and a description of the hydrogeological configurations of the two basins. Hydrogeologically, most areas under Cross River and  Imo-Kwa-Ibo are poor in terms of groundwater potentials. Based on the hydrochemistry, the basins hold water of excellent quality.  Groundwater sources fall in soft to moderately hard classes. The entire sources groundwater has a TDS concentration of less than 500 mg/l. Groundwater classification based on electrical conductivity (EC) showed EC levels were less than 500  µS/cm. Most of the examined cations and anions are within WHO reference guidelines for drinking water quality. However, no broad analysis of water quality based on water quality indices. Also, studies modeling pollution or the impact of land use changes on groundwater quality are wanting. Thus, further analysis of the hydrochemistry of groundwater aquifers is recommended.


2016 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 152
Author(s):  
Danielle C Verdon-Kidd ◽  
Anthony S Kiem ◽  
Garry R Willgoose

East Coast Lows (ECLs) are intense low pressure systems that form several times a year off the east coast of Australia. When these systems occur close to land they can cause major damage to infrastructure and communities due to gale force winds, intense rainfall, storm surge and coastal erosion. In June 2007, Newcastle and Central Coast regions of New South Wales (NSW) experienced severe weather and subsequent flash flooding. The ‘Pasha Bulker’ storm, as it has become known, was one of the most significant meteorological events in Australia’s history, with large economic losses and social disruption due to the loss of critical infrastructure. This paper provides background information on the meteorology of the event, the impact of the Pasha Bulker storm and a discussion of the lessons learned from the event and subsequent adaptation strategies employed. The paper also provides important reflections, at both regional and national level, on the Pasha Bulker storm and other similar storm events. Lessons for all levels of government and community groups are discussed, including preparedness before the event, actions during the event, and recovery processes post-event. From this, recommendations and conclusions are made on actions and strategies to increase adaptive capacity and resilience to extreme weather events like ECLs.


1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 147-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Samir M. Farid ◽  
Samir Atta ◽  
Mohamed Rashid ◽  
Josefien Oude Munnink ◽  
Ruud Platenburg

Egypt planned to reclaim large areas in both the Eastern and Western desert fringes of the Nile Delta with an increasing use of sewage effluent from Greater Cairo. The Gabal el Asfar farm which has been irrigated with raw to primary treated sewage effluent for a period of seventy five years was selected as a pilot area to investigate the groundwater quality. This farm covering 3000 feddan (1250 ha), is located in the sandy area northeast of Cairo. The main objective of the study was to assess the impact of agricultural application of sewage effluent on groundwater quality. Observation wells were constructed and field and laboratory measurements were carried out in and around the Gabal el Asfar area. The water balance and mass balances have been assessed. The study yielded useful recommendations to decrease the impact on groundwater quality and possible risks in Gabal el Asfar, concerning 1) type and amount of pollution from sewage effluent, 2) design criteria to control possible spreading of pollutants, and finally 3) the use of groundwater in the area. The following comprises the main conclusions:*Irrigation with sewage effluent had a positive impact on salinity of the initially brackish groundwater. On the contrary, groundwater quality is negatively affected from sewage effluent with regard to nitrogen contents (ammonium and nitrate), phosphate, heavy metals and faecal coliforms.*The drinking water limit for nitrate is sometimes exceeded. Moreover, faecal coliforms are found in water from all shallow handpumps in the area. The general suitability of the groundwater is therefore limited while the use of handpumps for drinking water purposes should be avoided. High boron contents of sewage effluent indicate a risk for crops sensitive to boron.*The accumulation of heavy metals and phosphorus in the soil adversely affects the soil system.*Pretreatment of sewage effluent in Gabal el Asfar should be improved to limit the pollution of the aquifer. Industrial discharge in sewage effluent should be avoided.*Groundwater recharged by sewage effluent is mainly collected by drains in or at the borders of the area, so spreading of pollutants out of the area is largely controlled.


Universal access to safe drinking water is one of the keys and important goals from a total of 17 sustainable development targets initiated by the United Nations which have to be achieved by 2030. As many as 1.1 billion people in the world are still living with inadequate access to safe drinking water. In the present study, an attempt was made to analyze the impact of inadequate access to safe drinking water on the different aspects of human life such as health, education and labour force participation rate. The present paper was based on secondary data. The study explores a comparative situation of universal access to safe drinking water in the developed world and inadequate access to the developing one. The problem of access to safe drinking water is more severe in developing countries, predominantly in rural areas. Most of the countries with low access to safe drinking water perform poorly in different health and education related variables. Moreover, the results of the bivariate correlation of developing countries proved that the life expectancy at birth and female labour force participation rate are directly correlated with water coverage of total population whereas, infant mortality rate and mortality rate under five years of age is inversely correlated to the total population with water coverage. In nutshell, it was observed that the greater access to adequate safe drinking water positively affects the outcome of health, educational attainments, and the female labour force participation rate.


2004 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Munawar Cholil

The quality of groundwater of unonfined aquifer with growing population density is endangered by population. This may cause serious problem as greatest portion of the population utility groundwater of unconfined aquifer as their drinking water. This research is aim at studying the difference in quality of groundwater of unonfined aquifer in Surakarta Munipicality by settlement units, and studying the impact settlement factors and groundwater depth on the quality of groundwater of unonfined aquifer. The research was executed by a survey methhod, taking 44 units of groundwater of unonfined aquifer samples at stratified proportional random from 44 villages. The samples were analyzed at the laboratory of Local Drinking Water Company (PDAM) of Surakarta. Data were analyzed using by stiff diagram, variance analysis, and multiple regression. The research reveals that there is very little differences in the quality of free groundwater in Surakarta, as it is shown by same chemical properties. Several chemical properties were found very high in concentration, but the rest were simultaniously low. On the basis of minimum quality of drinking water coli content have exeeded the allowed limit for drinking water.Among the settlement units observed, there were no significant differences in the physical, chemical (except pH), bacteriological factors. This means that differences among various depth of water. Electrical onductivity (EC), Na, Mg, H2CO3, H2SO4, and NH3 were found different among various depth of water table. Major chemical conentration were significant with geology formation. Population density, built up areas, size of settlement, building density, and the condition of drainage simultaniously affect the quality of free ground water. No differences among settlement units was observed the most important fators determining the free groundwater quality was population density.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7762
Author(s):  
Andrii Zabrodskyi ◽  
Egidijus Šarauskis ◽  
Savelii Kukharets ◽  
Antanas Juostas ◽  
Gediminas Vasiliauskas ◽  
...  

Soil compaction (SC) is one of the most damaging degradation processes. The effects of compaction are closely related to crop losses and GHG emissions due to additional fuel use. It is therefore important not only to correctly monitor the condition of the soil and the restoration of damaged soil but also to understand the costs of excessive exploitation of soil and individual risks in different countries and continents. A model of equations has been developed to assess the effects of compaction that can be used on a national or even single farm scale. However, for its further application, more data should be collected. Based on the data available in the public domain, the damage caused by compaction was compared between Ukrainian (UA) and Lithuanian (LT) scenarios as these countries have a similar situation but different levels of soil resource management. Soil characteristics, such as soil types and predisposition to compaction, depending on its type, were assessed in both countries. The main parameters used to estimate the damage due to SC were: yield loss; additional fuel consumption; losses of N, P, K fertilizers, water pollution, and flooding; erosion; and GHG emissions. The results reveal potential annual losses due to compaction of around EUR 27 million for Lithuania and around EUR 1.6 billion for Ukraine. Expected potential average losses per hectare of arable land are about EUR 49 ha−1 y−1 for Ukraine (33.9 million ha or 56.76% of the total area) and about EUR 13 ha−1 y−1 for Lithuania (2.11 million ha or 33.77%). Potential crop losses are one of the costliest consequences of compaction. They could cost about EUR 1 billion annually for Ukraine and about EUR 10.7 million for Lithuania. Moreover, the additional use of fuel and the associated GHG emissions can probably take away EUR 180 million (UA) and about EUR 4 million (LT) each year.


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