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, thearticle, 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.
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.
In the second session of the Three River Quest (3RQ) Virtual
Roundtable Series, presenters from Duquesne University, West Liberty University, and the West Virginia Water Research Institute (WVWRI) at West Virginia University shared research that
they have been conducting within the three river basins. The event
shed light on water chemistry trends and proposed where research could go to
continue to improve water conditions.