Water In Our World

In addition to its fifth annual Water and Health Conference (http://whconference.unc.edu/), the Water Institute at UNC will be hosting two new conferences in 2014:

On March 3-7, the Nexus 2014: Water, Food, Climate and Energy Conference will address water’s relationships with climate, food and energy, and the impacts of those relationships on security, sustainability and development. For more information: http://nexusconference.web.unc.edu/?doing_wp_cron=1369163544.3561289310455322265625

On May 5-9, the 2014 Water Microbiology Conference: Microbial Contaminants from Watersheds to Human Exposure will focus on water microbiology including current concerns in recreational waters, shellfish harvesting waters, drinking water, emerging technologies and quantitative tools. For more information: http://watermicroconference.web.unc.edu/?doing_wp_cron=1369163225.8106238842010498046875

The following article featured on the Wilmington Star News website outlines the future of wind farms on the North Carolina coast, most notably the challenges involved in implementation. To view the full story: http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20130511/articles/130519927?utm_source=feedly&tc=ar

The Spring 2013 issue of the UNC Graduate School’s annual magazine, The Fountain, is focused on water issues and features articles directly addressing UNC’s focus on this theme and many of the Water Theme’s key supporters.To view the online version of this issue: http://fountain.unc.edu/spr_13/

The following editorial piece published in the May 12th edition of the Raleigh News & Observer focuses on a current dispute between Alcoa Corporation and the residents of Stanly County over re-licensing of a dam on the Yadkin River, which could have lasting effects on both the community and the overall issue of ownership over statewide water resources. To view the full article: http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/05/12/2884725/alcoa-and-the-question-of-who.html

Dr. Jill Stewart, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, will serve as the deputy director of the UNC Galapagos Initiative from July 1, 2013 until June 30, 2016. Previously, Dr. Stewart has been to the Galapagos Islands as a course instructor for the UNC Study Abroad Program and as a researcher. She will return this summer to teach and conduct preliminary research on water quality and human and ecological health in the islands.

The Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at the University of North Carolina School of Government seeks a Graduate Student Data Analyst to assist with research related to projects on water utility finance and sustainability. The EFC is dedicated to enhancing the ability of governments and other organizations to provide environmental programs and services in fair, effective and financially sustainable ways. This is done through collaborative planning and problem solving, system development, local capacity building, implementation consultation, educational programs, and the development and use of finance and governance tools, publications and resources. The EFC works with communities across the country with a strong focus in the Southeast primarily in the area of drinking water, water quality, energy, and land preservation.

The graduate student will work with EFC staff on various projects for water and energy utilities by collecting, cleaning, analyzing, and understanding data on customer consumption patterns and their impact on resource management and pricing policy. The majority of the data cleaning and analysis will be done in STATA by adapting code from previous projects.

To apply, visit: https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/24446

The abstract submission deadline for the 2013 Water and Health Conference has been extended from April 30 until May 7 at 11:59 PM eastern standard time to provide more time for participants to submit work for presentation. As a reminder, this year’s conference themes are:

- Hygiene and behavioral change

- M&E: local, global, and human rights perspectives

- Institutions, finance, and sustainability

- Sanitation and health

- Water supply and quality from catchment to consumer and back

Abstract submissions can be made online at http://whconference.unc.edu/

The following article and audio clip produced by North Carolina Public Radio (WUNC 91.5) is part two in a series titled “Fracking North Carolina.” This particular installment focuses on the various disposal methods for water being utilized during the fracking process and the public reaction to each. To view the full story: http://wunc.org/post/fracking-north-carolina-what-do-we-do-waste#.UXaMcgjI1B0.twitter

Each year, The Graduate School at UNC presents Graduate Education Advancement Board Impact Awards to graduate students whose research is of exceptional benefit to North Carolina. This year, two students in the Curriculum for the Environment and Ecology program, Jackie White and Andrea Anton Gamazo, were awarded for their research efforts related to water. For more information: http://cee.unc.edu/news/2013-impact-award-winners-1

The Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at the UNC School of Government is seeking to hire an undergraduate or graduate student to conduct data collection, data entry, and data quality assessments on statewide water and wastewater rates survey (preferred). For more information:

http://efc.unc.edu/jobs.html#data