Capping of Water Wells for Future Use

4 pp., 4 photos, 1 illustrationWater wells that are not being used, but that might be needed in the future, can be sealed with a cap that covers the top of the well casing pipe to prevent unauthorized access and contamination of the well. This publication explains how to cap a well safely and securely

Evaluation of Contaminant Mixing in Rainwater Harvesting First Flush Diverters

As the world population increases, the demand increases for quality drinking water. The harvesting of rainwater has the potential to assist in alleviating pressures on current water supplies and storm water drainage systems. Diversion of a portion of the collected water away from storage is a technique used to improve harvested rainwater water quality prior to storage. Six configurations of a downspout first flush diverter were constructed and tested in the laboratory. The configurations of diverters were evaluated for their affinity to allow diverted water in the diverter chamber to interact with the flow of water to storage. Experiments were conducted at flow rates ranging from 0.76 L/min to 113.56 L/min. This range of flow rates adequately represents a wide range of common storm intensity patterns across the United States to which downspout first flush diverters are subjected. The diverter chamber to downspout transition fittings tested on a 10.16 cm diameter diverter chamber, upward and downward oriented sanitary and straight tee, do not have a significant impact on the mean difference in initial and final total dissolved solids concentrations observed at multiple sample ports. No statistical difference was observed when comparing upward and downward oriented sanitary tees used as diverter chambers to downspout transition fittings on 10.16 and 15.24 cm diverter chambers. Utilizing a straight tee as a transition fitting with a floating ball, acting as a barrier between water collected in the diverter chamber of a downspout first flush diverter and the flow passing through the transition fitting, limited diverted water from interacting with the subsequent flow of harvested rainwater. There is not a significant difference between the use of a downspout first flush diverter with diverter chamber diameters of 10.16 and 15.24 cm utilizing upward and downward oriented sanitary tees as downspout to diverter chamber transition fittings. Tests at flow rates less than or equal to 12.11 L/min exhibited limited changes in total dissolved solids concentrations in the downspout first flush diverters with 15.24 cm diameter diverter chambers. Tests at flow rates less than or equal to 1.51 L/min exhibited limited changes in total dissolved solids concentrations in the downspout first flush diverters with 10.16 cm diameter diverter chambers. The diverter chamber drain flow rate and volume impacts the observed differences in initial and final TDS concentrations at all sample ports on the diverter chamber of a downspout first flush diverter regardless of flow rate. The diverter chamber drain flow rate impacts the flow rate of water entering the diverter chamber through the transition fitting

Capping of Water Wells for Future Use

4 pp., 4 photos, 1 illustrationWater wells that are not being used, but that might be needed in the future, can be sealed with a cap that covers the top of the well casing pipe to prevent unauthorized access and contamination of the well. This publication explains how to cap a well safely and securely

Pet Waste Management

About 1 million pounds of dog waste is deposited daily in North Texas alone. That's why proper disposal of pet waste can make a big difference in the environment. 5 photos, 2 page

Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: Responding to Power Outages and Floods

People and the environment can be harmed if a home's onsite wastewater treatment system does not work properly after a flood or power outage. This publication explains the steps to take after such an event to get the system back into service. 4 pp., 1 figur

Land Application of Organic Fertilizers or Amendments

4 pp., 5 photosApplying organic materials to your land can add beneficial nutrients to the soil. But when too much is applied, or when it is applied incorrectly, organic material can cause environmental problems. This publication will help you select the proper application rate, calibrate equipment so that the correct rate is applied, and learn how location, water, soil and tillage can all affect the process

Provide Assistance to Improve Water Quality in Hood County

The overall goal for this project was to provide a mechanism to educate local stakeholders about water quality issues that affect Lake Granbury. This project provided an assessment of existing and potential water quality threats related to on-going non-point source (NPS) water pollution within the Lake Granbury Watershed. The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) and Texas AgriLife Extension Service are assisting Brazos River Authority (BRA) and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to develop a Watershed Protection Plan (WPP) aimed to improve and protect water quality within the Brazos River Basin. Educational information developed during this project provided Federal, State and local decision makers with a variety of mechanisms that can be employed to prevent additional degradation of water quality in the watershed

Rainwater Harvesting: Soil Storage and Infiltration System

8 pp., 7 illustrations, 5 tablesA soil storage and infiltration system collects rainfall runoff from the roofs of buildings and directs it underground where it infiltrates the soil. Such a system conserves water and protects it from surface pollution. This publication describes how to plan, design and install various types of soil storage and infiltration systems

Rainwater Harvesting: Raingardens

6 pp., 5 illustrations, 5 tablesA raingarden is in artifical depression in the landscape that collects and stores rainfall runoff until it can infiltrate the soil. Raingardens help conserve water and protect it from surface pollution. In this publication you'll learn how to design and install a raingarden and how to select the right location for it