Land-Based Impact of Nutrient Loads and Eutrophication on an Ancient Mediterranean Natural Lake

In water management plans, all human impacts on the aquatic environment are quantified and evaluated. For this purpose, lake-related assessment methods of watersheds are needed. The aim of this study is to present the environmental condition along the watershed–lake continuum of Lake Baratz, located in the northeastern part of Sardinia. We provide a method to evaluate the impact of a small watershed area on the trophic state of this ancient Mediterranean natural lake. This study demonstrates the potentialities of coupling simple land structure-based models with empirical ones, allowing one to hierarchize, interpret, and predict the relationships among the watershed ecological unity and lake trophic conditions at multiple spatial and temporal scales. It also demonstrates how the impact of single and interacting nutrient stressors can have a different impact on the trophic status which, in particular, applies to autotrophs, constituting a key response in the ecosystem. We suggest that the stressor hierarchy should be considered as a way of prioritizing actions in the cost-effective implementation of conservation and management plans.

Blue-green infrastructure as a new trend and an effective tool for water management in urban areas

Blue-green infrastructures (BGI) integrate solutions implemented to enhance water management and landscape values for more climateresilient and livable cities. BGI have created an opportunity to renew the natural structure of water balance in cities through the increase in rainwater retention and enlargement of permeable areas. The review of the literature on BGI development and solutions showed that the most popular BGI elements in terms of urban water quantity and quality were rain gardens, green roofs, vertical greening systems, and permeable pavements. Their structure and effectiveness were presented and reviewed. Despite the consensus between researchers that BGI benefit urban hydrology, differences in runoff decreased (2%-100%) lowering the peak flows (7%-70%) and infiltration (to 60%) or evapotranspiration (19%-84%) were reported. Due to an individual technical structure, each BGI element plays a specific role and there is no universal BGI solution against water-related problems. We inferred that the most effective ones were individually adapted solutions, which prevent from a stressor. The greater variety of solutions in a given area, the more benefits for the urban environment. Our analyses showed that a holistic and co-creative approach to create blue-green networks should be considered in modern water management plans.

Characteristics of chloride loading from urban and agricultural watersheds during storm and non-storm period

The chloride ion (Cl−) can adversely affect an aquatic ecosystem, but it is not clear how Cl− moves with runoff and how its transport processes are related to land uses and covers. This study investigated how the loading characteristics of Cl− vary depending on storm events and land covers in temperate region. We monitored Cl− concentrations in three study watersheds that have the different compositions of urban and agricultural land uses. In addition, a Mass First Flush ratio (MFFn) was determined to quantify the effect of first flush on Cl− loading. Overall, the observed concentrations and loadings in this study were found less than those reported in the cold northern regions. The monitoring data showed that Cl− concentrations and loads observed in an urban watershed were significantly larger than that of a rural watershed. The results suggest water management plans to focus on urbanized areas and their storm water to efficiently reduce chloride loading to downstream waterbodies. However, a further study is recommended to identify the sources and pathways of Cl− loaded to waterbodies.

Agua, economía y territorio: nuevos enfoques de la Directiva Marco del Agua para la gestión del recurso

Water is a natural resource that performs different functions in development processes (satisfaction of population’s basic needs, key element for ecosystems and landscapes, input in different economic activities, etc.). Taking into account this relevance and its features as an economic good, public authorities have carried out an important role as regulators. The last milestone in this path has been the approval of the Water Framework Directive. One of the most innovative points of this European rule is the use of economic analysis for the optimisation of different water uses. However, the development of the works done for the design of the new water management plans has shown several shortcomings regarding the economic analysis of water uses, the analysis of costs recovery for water services and the selection of meassures to reach these objectives. In this sense it is necessary to strength the nexus between the policy- making and academic spheres in order to support a more rigorous and effective use of the large scientific knowledge developed in this field.

868. Investigations of Healthcare-Associated Elizabethkingia Infections – United States, 2013-2019

Background Elizabethkingia (EK) are non-motile gram-negative rods found in soil and water and are an emerging cause of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). We describe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consultations for healthcare-associated EK infections and outbreaks. Methods CDC maintains records of consultations with state or local health departments related to HAI outbreaks and infection control breaches. We reviewed consultations involving EK species as the primary pathogen of concern January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2019 and summarized data on healthcare settings, infection types, laboratory analysis, and control measures. Results We identified 9 consultations among 8 states involving 73 patient infections. Long-term acute-care hospitals (LTACHs) accounted for 4 consultations and 32 (43%) infections, and skilled nursing facilities with ventilated patients (VSNFs) accounted for 2 consultations and 31 (42%) infections. Other settings included an acute care hospital, an assisted living facility, and an outpatient ear, nose, and throat clinic. Culture sites included the respiratory tract (n=7 consultations), blood (n=4), and sinus tract (n=1), and E. anophelis was the most commonly identified species. Six consultations utilized whole genome sequencing (WGS); 4 identified closely related isolates from different patients and 2 also identified closely related environmental and patient isolates. Mitigation measures included efforts to reduce EK in facility water systems, such as the development of water management plans, consulting water management specialists, flushing water outlets, and monitoring water quality, as well as efforts to minimize patient exposure such as cleaning of shower facilities and equipment, storage of respiratory therapy supplies away from water sources, and use of splash guards on sinks. Conclusion EK is an important emerging pathogen that causes HAI outbreaks, particularly among chronically ventilated patients. LTACHs and VSNFs accounted for the majority of EK consultations and patient infections. Robust water management plans and infection control practices to minimize patient exposure to contaminated water in these settings are important measures to reduce infection risk among vulnerable patients. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Water management: A way to achieve a more efficient irrigation system

The pressure of growing urbanization, industrialization and water scarcity resulting from climate change imposes limitations on the amount of water allocated to agriculture.There will need to be an increase in food production of almost 50% by 2030. This will be an enormous challenge, requiring a significant increase in irrigable land area in the forthcoming years. It is necessary to improve water 2 systems based on the knowledge that high efficiency can be achieved with less wateronly by the adoption of more effective water-management plans, especially in agriculture, which is the major consumer of this precious resource. Water management in agriculture has a dual task: improving both water networks and how treated wastewater is used and re-used. Farmer participation in wateradministration will play a key role in agricultural production growth. The paper highlights current concern regarding the management of water supply for irrigation from the River Arda in Piacenza province, Italy. The approach proposed by the Consorzio di Bonifica di Piacenza for the reduction of water loss in the irrigation network is the replacement of the traditional system of open canals with a new underground pipe system, to be available only for irrigation, in such a way that the hydrogeological structure of the territory would not be altered. The project's technical and economic feasibilitydepend on architectural quality and technical functionality. During the project phase tools and methods were also considered, seeking to involve techniques, materials and equipment that would make the pipe system less invasive and more affordable, efficient and manageable, not only regarding the final results, but also the project's development and construction stages, as well as its post-construction ordinary maintenance.

Water management plans and sea level rise impacts on seawater intrusion in the Red River Delta, Vietnam

<p>Seawater intrusion in coastal areas is now rising as a serious problem for river deltas in the world, especially when high tidal levels occur. Red River Delta plays a paramount role in the economy and society of Vietnam and has already been experiencing the increase in salinity concentrations. The combination of high tidal levels and multi-purposes reservoirs operations in the upstream watershed could exacerbate saltwater intrusion. This research, therefore, analyses the impacts of different water management plans, according to reservoirs operations coupled with sea level rise scenarios, on salinity dynamics in the Red River Delta. Two sea level rise projections referred to RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 emission scenarios have been selected for the simulations of future salinity intrusions in 2050 and 2100. In consideration of the important junction of the 3 main upstream rivers (Lo, Thao and Da River), discharge at Son Tay gauge station is selected as the upstream boundary condition for riverflow. Different discharge scenarios in Son Tay station are, hence, adopted based on statistical analysis of runoff data after the construction of the major reservoirs, started in 1973. Taking into account the 25%, 50%, 75%, 95% exceedance quantiles of the minimum monthly riverflow in Son Tay station combined with 4 downstream sea level rise scenarios, 16 salinity profiles along the Red River Delta reaches were obtained by 1D-hydrodynamic simulations. The results are useful as a guidance to plan multi-purposes reservoirs operations, considering environmental, agricultural, industrial and flood-protection targets.</p>