A train derailment in East Palestine occurred on February 3rd, 2023, resulting in the evacuation of the town. Several of the train cars contained hazardous materials, including vinyl chloride. A controlled burn of the chemicals was conducted to prevent an explosion. Vinyl chloride is a colorless gas used to make plastic with exposure risks associated with liver, brain and lung cancers, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Multiple agencies are working together to help support the residents of East Palestine, including the US and Ohio Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA), Ohio Management Agency, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the National Transportation Safety Board. Water quality continues to be monitored throughout the state and most recent reports can be found here.

Previous studies can be of value when analyzing the potential risks of catastrophic events to down-stream water quality. In 2019, Dr. Patrick Ray, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of Cincinnati, completed a Ohio Water Resources funded project via a USGS 104(b) subaward. This project titled "Multidimensional risk assessment on riverine contamination: case study of Cincinnati, OH" aimed to better understand the consequences of water supply interruptions caused by the contamination of river water. The developed framework, a river contamination risk (RANK) model, can be used for informed risk assessment.

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To find more resources offered by Ohio WRC, please visit: https://wrc.osu.edu/resources

Webinar: WRRI National Competitive Grants Request for Proposals (RFPs)

March 9, 2023 • Virtual

Water Resource Research Institutes (WRRIs) from across the United States are organizing a joint webinar on March 9th, 2023 at 2 p.m. Eastern time that focuses on the National Competitive Grants RFPs. The full proposal process and funding priorities will be discussed, and there will be the opportunity for researchers to ask questions. In addition, researchers will be able to identify potential collaborators in topic-specific breakouts. To add this event to your calendar, click here.

Changing Rivers: Enhancing the natural and social wellbeing of Ohio alongside more floods and warmer temperatures

March 7, 2023 • Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center

Registration is open for the Environmental Professionals Network (EPN) - Water Management Association of Ohio (WMAO) Spring Seminar. This event will focus on the specific issues of stormwater management regional extreme rainfall events. The full agenda and speaker bios are available here.

Webinar: Benefits from the Application of Hydraulic Modeling for Small Water Systems

March 8, 2023 • Virtual

Registration is open for a webinar hosted by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) focused on the advantages of hydraulic models for small systems. This webinar will cover the basics, challenges, and benefits of hydraulic modeling.

Symposium: 38^th Annual WateReuse Symposium

March 5-8, 2023 • Atlanta, GA

The 38th annual WateReuse Symposium will highlight how utilities and businesses can benefit from water recycling, including the opportunities it can provide for underserved communities over the course of five plenary sessions, seven technical tracks, and networking events. Register and learn more here.

Webinar: Understanding and (Potentially) Mitigating the Impacts of Tile Drainage

March 22, 2023 • Virtual

Registration is open for a freshwater science webinar hosted by the Ohio Sea Grant, Stone Lab and the Harmful Algal Bloom Research Initiative. Dr. Steve Lyon at The Ohio State University will be speaking on their research examining how tile drainage impacts other water flow in agricultural fields, to better understand overall runoff and nutrient flows.

Water Week 2023: The National Water Policy Fly-In

April 25-26, 2023 • Washington, DC

Hosted by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the Water Research Foundation (WRF), and the WateReuse Association, this event will focus on achievements in the water sector, their implementations, and the outlook over the next year. Register and learn more here.

Webinar: Lake Erie Charter Captains Business Survey

April 26, 2023 • Virtual

Registration is open for a freshwater science webinar hosted by the Ohio Sea Grant, Stone Lab and the Harmful Algal Bloom Research Initiative. Ohio Sea Grant Extension Program Leader Troy Gabriel will be speaking on a survey he led on licensed fishing guides gauging the attitudes, characteristics and economic impacts on the industry for the 2020 season.

Conference: 16th Annual Ohio Stormwater Conference

May 10-12, 2023 • Sandusky, OH and Virtual

Registration is open for the annual Ohio Stormwater Conference. This event is dedicated to advancing the knowledge and understanding of comprehensive stormwater and watershed management for those dealing in aspects of planning, design, implementation and regulatory compliance.

Webinar: Finding Veterinary Pharmaceuticals in Lake Erie Tributaries

May 23, 2023 • Virtual

Registration is open for a freshwater science webinar hosted by the Ohio Sea Grant, Stone Lab and the Harmful Algal Bloom Research Initiative. Dr. Laura Johnson at Heidelberg University will be speaking on her research examining if antibiotic concentrations in water samples from Lake Erie tributaries can be linked to nutrient runoff from livestock farms to better explain variations in nutrient loading into the lake.

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