Articles

Today, 3RQ held its final Virtual Roundtable series, Presenters came together to discuss projects occurring within the Ohio River Basin. Huge thank you to Jason Heath, John Wenzel, and John Detisch for sharing their time with us!

A new study by WVU and West Virginia Water Research Institute (WVWRI) researchers utilizes 3RQ data to analyze how management changes have impacted water quality in the Monongahela River Basin. The study focuses on twelve sites on the Monongahela River and its major tributaries that, as part of the 3RQ program, have at least monthly water quality data dating back to 2009. Researchers examine water quality trends from 2009-2019 under the lens of three key management changes that occurred within this time period. These management changes include a voluntary discharge management plan developed by the WVWRI and implemented by the coal industry (2010), Pennsylvania’s prohibition of produced wastewater in publicly owned treatment facilities (2011), and construction of a reverse osmosis treatment facility (2013). Since the implementation of these changes, primarily the voluntary discharge management plan which encompasses most of the watershed, TDS in the Monongahela has not exceeded the EPA′s secondary drinking water standards. The results from this study have demonstrated how bromide, chloride, sulfate, and TDS trend changes coincided with discharge and critical water quality management alterations to the Monongahela River Basin. While individual management decisions may be effective, combining multiple watershed-scale decisions targeting contributing constituents of TDS can lead to greater overall effectiveness. Published to Water in February of 2023, the article, entitled "Effective Management Changes to Reduce Halogens, Sulfate, and TDS in the Monongahela River Basin, 2009–2019," is free and open to the public. 

On January 19th, 3RQ presented their second installment of the 3RQ Virtual Roundtable series, focusing on Urban Watersheds in and around Pittsburgh, PA. Viewers listened to Jan Raether, Plan/Build Manager of Upstream Pittsburgh; Patrick Shirey, Associate Director of the Pittsburgh Collaboratory for Water Research, Education, and Outreach; and Renee Dolney of Chalfant Run/Thompson Run Watershed Association.

In the first session of the Three Rivers Quest (3RQ) virtual roundtable, presenters discussed the 3RQ Generating Awareness for Project Success (GAPS) program as well as unveiled the new 3RQ Mapping Tool! Both projects have been developed with the goal of aiding watershed organizations within our service area.

3RQ will host a three-part virtual series to learn about the research, conservation, and education-based efforts being undertaken by 3RQ member organizations and 3RQ partner researchers in the Upper Ohio River Basin. Mark your calendars for the third Thursday of each month from 10 - 11 am, December - February. Registration is free and required.

The story of 3RQ-- including its origins, observed trends in water quality data, and successes through collaboration-- is now available in text. "Managing TDS and Sulfate in the Monongahela River: Three Rivers QUEST" is chapter 16 in the new textbook titled Environmental Impacts from the Development of Unconventional Oil and Gas Reserves. 

Article written for WVU Foundation News by Cassie Rice

Article originally published by Julie Grant, The Allegheny Front, on June 10, 2022.

Article originally published by Andrew Byrne, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District on Feb. 2, 2022.

In the third and final session of the Three Rivers Quest (3RQ) Virtual Roundtable Series, projects from three different 3RQ member organizations were highlighted. Speakers from the Harry Enstrom chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, Three Rivers Waterkeeper, and Scrubgrass Creek Watershed Association shared important projects and volunteer opportunities.