Returning Individual Tap Water Testing Results to Research Study Participants after a Wildfire Disaster

After the devastating wildfire that destroyed most of the town of Paradise, California in 2018, volatile organic compounds were found in water distribution pipes. Approximately 11 months after the fire, we collected tap water samples from 136 homes that were still standing and tested for over 100 chemicals. Each participant received a customized report showing the laboratory findings from their sample. Our goal was to communicate individual water results and chemical information rapidly in a way that was understandable, scientifically accurate, and useful to participants. On the basis of this process, we developed a framework to illustrate considerations and priorities that draw from best practices of previous environmental results return research and crisis communication, while also addressing challenges specific to the disaster context. We also conducted a follow-up survey on participants’ perceptions of the results return process. In general, participants found the results return communications to be understandable, and they felt less worried about their drinking water quality after receiving the information. Over one-third of the participants reported taking some kind of action around their water usage habits after receiving their results. Communication with participants is a critical element of environmental disaster research, and it is important to have a strategy to communicate results that achieves the goals of timeliness, clarity, and scientific accuracy, ultimately empowering people toward actions that can reduce exposure.

Exploring Risk Perception and Behaviours at the Intersection of Flood Events and Private Groundwater Supplies: A Qualitative Focus Group Study

Flooding events can inflict major disruption on society and cause significant infrastructural and environmental damage. However, the adverse health impacts of flooding, particularly as they pertain to private groundwater resources used for consumption, are frequently overlooked. Whilst the literature has previously found a lack of well stewardship among private well owners under ‘normal’ conditions, our understanding of private well owners’ perceptions of and preparedness for the risks posed by flooding to their domestic well-water supply is limited. This study advances the qualitative literature on this subject. It is amongst the first qualitative studies employing focus groups to examine private well owners, and the first in an Irish context. Six focus groups were conducted in four counties in Ireland, with the themes emerging from the focus groups refined, organised, and interpreted in the context of the Health Belief Model. Most focus group participants expressed awareness of the potential severity of well contamination following flooding, but many did not consider their local area “at risk” of it, notwithstanding the occurrence of previous local flooding events. All focus group participants shared the view that owners were primarily responsible for their own wells. However, their capacity to undertake appropriate actions was reduced by reliance on visual and olfactory evidence to assess water quality, and concerns regarding the financial cost and accessibility of water testing facilities. The phenomenon of misperception was also evident among participants. In light of the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events including flooding, these findings provide direction for future socio-hydrogeological interventions. Targeted communication strategies highlighting the risks posed by flooding, mitigation measures that promote well stewardship, and protective behaviours are required. The provision of access to free well water testing would also promote protective actions.

A Call to Broaden Investment in Drinking Water Testing and Community Outreach Programs

Ensuring access to safe drinking water is a challenge in many parts of the world for reasons including, but not limited to, infrastructure age, source water impairment, limited community finances and limitations in Federal water protections. Water quality crises and the prevalence of impaired waters globally highlight the need for investment in the expansion of drinking water testing that includes public and private water systems, as well as community outreach. We provide justification including a case example to argue the merits of developing drinking water testing and community outreach programs that include drinking water testing and non-formal education (i.e., public outreach) regarding the importance of drinking water quality testing for human well-being and security. Organizers of drinking water testing programs should: (1) test drinking water quality; (2) develop drinking water quality databases; (3) increase public awareness of drinking water issues; (4) build platforms for improved community outreach; and (5) publish program results that illustrate successful program models that are spatially and temporally transferrable. We anticipate that short-term and intermediate outcomes of this strategy would improve access to drinking water testing, facilitate greater understanding of water quality and increase security through inclusive and equitable water quality testing and outreach programs.

INDIA–CHINA STANDOFF: CHALLENGES and OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIA

Though recent May 2020 standoff that continued between India and China in Galwan valley was not taken by the Indian leadership as routine water testing by the Chinese. India took it seriously and very well managed to handle the aggression on its own and halted the China’s backdoor thinking of projecting themselves a superpower at least in Asia. Now it’s going to be a normal routine along the LAC as India is now determined to change the ground strategic infrastructure reality along the LAC. By tackling Chinese on its own, India has bolstered its position in the world’s strategic power pie chart. Further India need to work on many fronts to meet the challenges and convert these sour relations in a Diplomatic, Economic and Strategic opportunities for India. The aim of this paper is to analyze in detail the India’s stand against the PLA's incursion, internal assessment to meet this “going to be routine” challenge on LAC and further considering the India’s population, market size and china’s sour relations with neighbors, it’s time for India to encash the opportunities out of such attempts from China.

A new device for measuring forces in the footrest during on-water kayaking

Several studies have investigated paddle force on the water. However, a limited number of studies have investigated on-water footrest forces. The purpose of this study was to design, implement, and validate a device which measures forces applied to the footrest during on-water kayaking without hindering the athletes’ performance. A Nelo footrest was modified and equipped with two load cells. The footrest was calibrated by loading it with known weights perpendicular to the surface of the footrest. A portable custom-built data acquisition system was built. The data acquisition system was placed in a box behind the seat in the kayak. The system was able to measure the paddling technique related to the legs during on-water testing and distinguish between different intensities. The system developed in the current study can help to improve kayak sprint performance in new ways, as the system elucidates forces within the kayak. Moreover, the system can provide clarification of the biomechanical aspects of the leg push during sprint kayaking.