Institute of Water Research

Integrating Applied Research and Technology Advancements to Improve Water Resource Management (PIs: Amirpouyan Nejadhashemi and Jeremiah Asher)

The Institute of Water Research (IWR) at Michigan State University will address climate variability in urban and agricultural settings, groundwater management and contamination, harmful algal blooms, and nonpoint source pollution in the Great Lakes region through coupling research and technological advancements with technology transfer and outreach activities. To address climate variability in urban and agricultural settings within the Great Lakes region, the IWR will test new low-cost water level sensors and data loggers aimed at increasing water level monitoring efforts and reducing long-term costs for future water quality research projects. The IWR will run and evaluate models of stream flows under varying conditions and share data with stakeholders via meetings, conferences, and papers. The IWR will conduct edge-of-field monitoring to better understand how various conservation practices influence nutrients and groundwater infiltration. Floating wetlands and other innovative solutions will be tested for their effectiveness in reducing nonpoint source pollution. The IWR will help address Michigan’s emerging PFAS/PFOA contamination crisis by convening with multi-disciplinary experts to learn about and explore new ways to track, monitor, and mitigate risks and inform the public regarding PFAS/PFOA contaminants. The IWR will continue to update its Decision Support Systems to assist farmers and policy makers with key decision-making regarding climate variability, groundwater management, nutrient reduction, and other issues. Using science-based research results, data, and information, the technology transfer program will continue to develop and revise programs that address key critical water issues within the state and region.

Technology Transfer Training, Dissemination and Program Development in Water Resources (PI: Ruth Kline-Robach)

The Michigan State University Institute of Water Research (IWR) provides outreach programs focusing on the transfer of water resources information to a variety of audiences. Its technology transfer program uses science-based research results, data, and information to develop and deliver programs focusing on key critical water issues. Project information and lessons learned are often transferable to the regional and national levels. The IWR continually builds on its offerings, while developing new programs to address evolving issues and meet user needs.

Problem:

Potential impacts to water that may result from poor land use practices, nonpoint source pollution, groundwater withdrawals, climate change, invasive species and multiple other sources can lead to water quality degradation as well as depletion of groundwater supplies. Multiple impacts on water quality can lead to serious risks for the State’s water resources and its economy. For example, high water levels can result in shoreline erosion, flooding, infrastructure damage and increased runoff of nutrients. Demand for water during low flow periods can lead to water use conflicts for agriculture, industry, recreation, and drinking, particularly as operations and facilities expand, and population grows. Having the knowledge and resources to make good decisions regarding these impacts and potential consequences are essential for long term sustainability of Michigan’s water resources.

Methods:

Effective information dissemination needs to provide multiple mechanisms for transferring timely, accurate, unbiased and current research-based information to diverse audiences interested in water related issues. As part of the technology transfer program, the IWR responds to critical water issues facing Michigan citizens and is proactive in the development of programs, workshops, demonstrations, and online decision support tools that can help people address water resources issues. The IWR uses many modes of information exchange to enhance the overall project, meet user needs, and continually builds on its offerings. It also develops new programs to address emerging issues. Methods used include the development of statewide and regional conferences; training sessions and workshops to help users understand water quality issues; creating new written downloadable materials; development of web-based interactive programs; partnering with MSU Extension field and campus educators to coordinate and support programs; and interacting and coordinating efforts with researchers, agency personnel, and professionals on water related issues.

Objectives:

The objectives of this program are to: 1) increase citizen awareness, knowledge and appreciation of the water quality and quantity problems in Michigan through multiple formats; 2) present alternatives in practices or behavior that lead to improvement of water resource; 3) incorporate new developments and issues into existing and new programs; 4) provide hands-on tools to address environmental and economic problems; 5) address high priority and emerging issues; 6) evaluate projects disseminated and incorporate lessons learned into new programs; and 7) develop multidisciplinary projects in a cooperative, interactive process with clientele and partners.

Assessing Aquifers in Irrigated Fields using a Surface Geophysical Tool (PI: Younsuk Dong)

Total precipitation and frequency and magnitude of heavy precipitation events have increased over recent decades in Michigan. This raises interest in how climate change has impacted groundwater recharge. Similarly to groundwater recharge, methods for estimating agricultural return flow have been discussed and brought to the attention of the Michigan Water Use Advisory Council and Michigan Water Conservation and Efficiency Subcommittee. A significant demand exists for a non‐model-based method for understanding agricultural irrigation water usage and its effects on local aquifers. Installing monitoring wells is a common method of observing groundwater, but the high cost of installing monitoring wells limits the number of monitoring wells in Michigan. This project focuses on evaluating a geological survey tool to estimate groundwater levels and rates of recharge. The objectives of this project are to: 1) Estimate the geographic profile of irrigated lands to observe the aquifer using Electrical Resistivity Tomography, 2) develop a simulation approach for estimating agricultural return flow and groundwater recharge in common Michigan soils using HYDRUS, and 3) share the results of the project with stakeholders via field days, meetings, conferences, and publications.

Neglected Aspects of Water Insecurity and Health in Michigan Post-Industrial Cities (PIs: Jennifer Carerra and Amber Pearson)

Despite widespread piped distribution of water to much of the U.S. population, households living in poverty are at high risk of water insecurity (defined as a lack of safe, reliable, sufficient, or affordable water for a thriving life). Water insecurity in the U.S. is typically treated as a highly localized problem, related to water shutoffs resulting from non-payment, concerns over quality and organoleptic perceptions of tap water, or mistrust of water providers. A growing body of research clearly indicates that low-income and non-White U.S. households disproportionately experience water problems. Yet, the measurement of water insecurity itself is lacking. Furthermore, most water-health studies in high income countries focus solely on contaminants (bacterial, metal, chemical), neglecting other health concerns of immediate priority to affected communities (e.g., respiratory impairment, skin rash, anxiety). Working with Flint and Detroit community partners, this project will work to address two key knowledge gaps. First, we will work with partners to identify neglected health concerns related to water insecurity and construct a Michigan-specific module of the global high-income country water insecurity survey. Second, after obtaining IRB approval and having developed the health-related module, the project team will deploy two survey teams in Flint and Detroit to capture information related to water insecurity and neglected health concerns for 240 residents in 6-8 neighborhoods. Data will be part of a national effort to understand water insecurity. Last, we plan to analyze this data, share de-identified data with the HWISE network, and disseminate our findings via Dr. Key's radio program and three town hall events.

Salinization of West Michigan Lakes: Surveying Prevalence, Severity, and Location (PI: Alan Steinman)

The salinization of freshwater ecosystems is a growing concern, especially in north temperate regions due to runoff from de-icing salts. We have observed this problem in a chain of lakes in Grand Rapids, MI and other isolated examples have been detected around Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor but likely is prevalent throughout Michigan. However, observational data are needed to assess the degree of salinization and its putative causes. We propose a 5-part study to evaluate the prevalence and severity of salinization in west Michigan lakes: 1) conduct a geospatial analysis of lakes larger than 5 hectares in the 5-county west Michigan Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO): Muskegon, Oceana, Lake, Newaygo, and Mason Counties, extracting data from existing databases to identify candidate lakes to sample; 2) determine salt application rates from MDOT and county road commission data bases; 3) sample a depth profile in a subset of the lakes (~50 lakes) for specific conductivity, chloride, total phosphorus, and general water quality; 4) synthesize the results and use predictive models to predict the prevalence of salt contamination to other lakes in Michigan; and 5) disseminate this information to stakeholders in west Michigan with assistance of MSU extension and our local planning organization (MPO), the West Michigan Regional Shoreline Development Commission (WMSRDC).