Grantee Research Project Results
2001 Progress Report: Community Water Quality Information System for a New and Sustainable Water Supply
EPA Grant Number: R828576Title: Community Water Quality Information System for a New and Sustainable Water Supply
Investigators: Pearthree, Marie S. , Davis, Stephen E. , Matthewson, Charles H. , McGuire, Michael J. , Wierenga, Peter J. , Pepper, Ian L. , Rosen, Jeffrey S. , MacNeill, Elizabeth , Johnson, Freda , Chavez, Kathleen , Kaneen, Richard , Chesser, Sharyn , Hines, Stefani
Current Investigators: Pearthree, Marie S. , Davis, Stephen E. , McGuire, Michael J. , Wierenga, Peter J. , Pepper, Ian L. , Rosen, Jeffrey S. , MacNeill, Elizabeth , Johnson, Freda , Chavez, Kathleen , Mariner, Linda , Kotelman, Marleen , Lindsey, Marti , Kaneen, Richard
Institution: City of Tucson, AZ , Pima County Wastewater Management Department , University of Arizona
Current Institution: City of Tucson, AZ , Arizona Department of Environmental Quality , Kaneen Advertising & Public Relations, Inc. , McGuire Malcolm Pirnie Environmental Consultants , Pima County Health Department , Pima County Wastewater Management Department , Rillito Consulting Group , Technology Planning and Management Corporation , Tucson Unified School District , University of Arizona
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: February 1, 2001 through January 31, 2003 (Extended to January 31, 2005)
Project Period Covered by this Report: February 1, 2001 through January 31, 2002
Project Amount: $400,000
RFA: Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and Community Tracking (EMPACT) (2000) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , Water , Air
Objective:
The objective of this research project is to develop time-relevant methods of water resource data collection and reporting to Tucson-area consumers. This project will use online monitoring technologies and customer response capabilities not available 6 years ago that allow consumers to participate in the decision-making process with respect to acceptable household water quality and consumptive choices.
Progress Summary:
Progress to date is summarized by the objectives listed below.
Objective 1: Environmental Parameter Monitoring and Measurement. Through consumer surveys and questionnaire responses, the most important water quality issues for Tucson Water (TW) customers were determined. This information was used to design the monitoring program to track water quality measures of concern to TW's consumers, and to address the integration of online monitoring capabilities. Therefore, the initial monitoring program, launched with the startup of the Clearwater Program, was completely based on grab sampling at locations where online sensors eventually would be located. The first two online stations were implemented at the treatment and storage facilities receiving the new water supply. TW used these monitoring stations for design of the online instrumentation panels to be installed system-wide.
Objective 2: Information Management, Processing, and Delivery. Several information management, processing, and delivery activities were accomplished during Year 1 of the Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and Community Tracking (EMPACT) research project. For the Web-based navigation of water quality information, a complete requirements analysis was performed utilizing a story board approach to design a Web system to receive, process, and manage the new monitoring program data as either grab or online data streams. A pilot Web-based information system was launched and alpha-tested, and a live version of the Web-based system was implemented and beta-tested during the initial 2 months of its implementation. A series of design modifications were identified and implemented over the next 6 months.
For the conventional information delivery systems, customer service representatives were trained to navigate the Web-based system so that they could quickly and accurately respond to customer inquiries, including the ability to e-mail, fax, and/or mail specific water quality or water resource information from the Web-based system. TW's practice of publishing summary water quality information through bill inserts was continued, but the water quality information was updated based on the water quality parameters identified from the consumer survey performed, and water quality information of the recharged Colorado River water was added. Information collected from customer service calls was analyzed to identify the reasons for customer calls and/or complaints. Coding capabilities used to identify the following categories of calls was implemented and used to inform management about customer water quality. Each customer service call was mapped using the predefined codes. This activity was used to determine if trends of water quality problems were occurring.
Objective 3: Communication. Several surveys of the Tucson community were conducted to determine the baseline awareness level and concerns with respect to TW resources and quality. "Water" games were developed and implemented on the Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center's (SWEHSC) Web Site to improve understanding of drinking water and water resource issues for the public, in general, and for children, in particular. TW initiated outreach activities with the EMPACT partners to improve communication of water quality and quantity issues throughout the Tucson area.
Future Activities:
Future activities are to: (1) complete the installation of the online monitoring stations and transition the data management from grab sampling to the online data management systems; (2) revise the Web-based system for improved navigation, accessibility of relevant information, and friendliness of the information presented; (3) continue development of specific Hispanic, Native American, and medical community outreach programs, including delivery mechanisms; (4) assess differences in public awareness levels regarding TW resources and water quality issues; and (5) continue with development of the general community outreach with our partners.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 77 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
drinking water, groundwater, monitoring, analytical, Southwest, Arizona, AZ, community-based, sustainable development, clearwater., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Health, Geographic Area, Water, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, POLLUTANTS/TOXICS, Environmental Chemistry, Health Risk Assessment, State, Arsenic, Monitoring/Modeling, Susceptibility/Sensitive Population/Genetic Susceptibility, Environmental Monitoring, genetic susceptability, Water Pollutants, Drinking Water, EPA Region, EMPACT, Region 9, monitoring, disinfection byproducts, sensitive populations, community-based approach, disinfection by-products, health risks, exposure and effects, public information, ethnic, exposure, other - risk assessment, water supply, community water quality information system, Arizona (AZ), treatment, community outreach, water quality, outreach and education, dietary exposure, DBP exposure, groundwater, information management, real-time monitoringRelevant Websites:
http://www.ci.tucson.az.us/water
Exit
http://www.adeq.state.az.us/environ/water/compliance/empact.html
Exit
http://instech.tusd.k12.az.us/Science/SciencekitsK5.html
Exit
http://www.ag.arizona.edu/ Exit
http://swehsc.pharmacy.arizona.edu/coep/index.html
Exit
http://www.co.pima.az.us/health/epirpt.htm
Exit
http://www.wwm.co.pima.az.us Exit
http://www.hispanicchambertucson.org
Exit
http://wqc.arizona.edu/ Exit
http://www.ci.tucson.az.us/cns
Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.