Water Management Concepts

Questions and Answers

What is the term for the movement of water from one significant basin to another?

Riparian Water Rights

Subsidence

Inter-basin Transfer (correct)

Urbanization

What is the primary cause of subsidence?

Loess deposits

Glacial isostatic adjustment

Earthquakes

Removal of water, oil, natural gas, or mineral resources (correct)

What percentage of San Antonio's water came from the Edwards Aquifer in 1995?

100% (correct)

50%

80%

60%

What is a benefit of water supply diversification?

Improved water security for future generations Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the aquifer that SAWS has access to, with permitted groundwater withdrawal rights?

Wilcox Aquifer Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the SAWS Desalination System?

To provide a diversified water supply Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the rights of landowners adjacent to a flowing stream or river to use the water?

Riparian Water Rights Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of reducing reliance on the Edwards Aquifer?

Improved habitat for threatened and endangered species Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a water tower?

To provide water volume in the form of storage Signup and view all the answers

What is the conversion factor for a column of water?

2.31 vertical feet = 1 psi Signup and view all the answers

How tall does the full water tower need to be to provide 60 psi of water pressure to the homes?

462 feet Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a flow meter?

To measure the amount of water used Signup and view all the answers

What type of information can be found on the CDC website regarding private ground water wells?

Information on the basics of wells, testing, treatment, and maintenance Signup and view all the answers

What unit of measurement is used to express pressure in a water column?

Pounds per square inch Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum percentage of cutbacks in any given year?

44 percent Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Wilcox Aquifer?

To convert brackish water to drinking water Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between public and private ground water wells?

Public wells are regulated by the EPA, while private wells are not Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the casing in a well?

To maintain the well opening and confine groundwater Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of submersible turbine pumps?

They push water up through a pipe Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential contaminant of private ground water wells?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of artesian water?

It is under pressure when tapped by a well Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between water flow and water pressure?

Flow rate is like a river, while pressure is the force behind the flow Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a water tower?

To store and distribute water Signup and view all the answers

What is SAWS' commitment in a worst-case drought scenario?

To reduce pumping by up to 46,300 acre-feet Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Water Rights and Management

Riparian Water Rights: landowners adjacent to a flowing stream or river can use the water.
Urbanization: conversion of rural farmland to impervious surface.
Inter-basin Transfer: movement of water from one significant basin to another (e.g., Vista Ridge Project).
Subsidence: sinking of the ground due to underground material movement, often caused by removal of water, oil, natural gas, or mineral resources.

San Antonio Water System

Diversified water portfolio to ensure sustainable, reliable supply for the community.
15 supply projects originating from 9 different sources.
Reduces reliance on the Edwards Aquifer to 60% of total supply.
Improves spring flows and habitat for threatened and endangered species.
Increases resilience in managing climate-related impacts to one or more water sources.

Wilcox Aquifer

Access to permitted groundwater withdrawal rights is subject to varying levels of availability.
Cutbacks in any given year may range from 0% to 44% due to variable weather conditions.
SAWS has agreed to reduce pumping by up to 46,300 acre-feet during a worst-case drought scenario.

Desalination

10 gallons of brackish water can be converted to 9 gallons of drinking water.
Salts and minerals removed are injected deep into the ground into an area with higher salt concentrations.

Private Ground Water Wells

Many people in the United States receive their water from private ground water wells.
EPA regulations that protect public drinking water systems do not apply to privately owned wells.
Owners of private wells are responsible for ensuring their water is safe from contaminants.

Well Components

Casing: tubular structure placed in the drilled well to maintain the well opening and confine groundwater to its zone underground.
Materials for well casing: carbon steel, plastic, and stainless steel.
Submersible Turbine Pump: pushes water up through a pipe installed in the well, instead of pulling it with suction.

Well Contaminants

Microbial contamination (fecal contamination from feedlots)
High concentrations of naturally-occurring contaminants (arsenic, radon)
Local land use practices (fertilizers, pesticides)
Problems with the integrity of nearby on-site septic systems

Artesian Wells

Groundwater under pressure when tapped by a well, able to rise above the level at which it is first encountered.
Pressure in the aquifer is called artesian pressure, and the formation containing artesian water is an artesian aquifer or confined aquifer.

Water Towers

Provide pressure and water volume in the form of storage.
Original Aggie water tower was built in the 1930s and replaced in 1975.

Conversion Factor

231 feet of water column = 100 psi
2.31 vertical feet = 1 psi

Flow Meter

Device mounted on the outside wall of a private house to measure the amount of water used.

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Description

This quiz covers various concepts related to water management, including riparian water rights, urbanization, inter-basin transfer, and subsidence. Test your knowledge of these important water-related terms!