Gastrointestinal (GI) illness risks associated with exposure to waters impacted by human and nonhuman fecal sources were estimated using quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA). Microbial source tracking (MST) results had identified Escherichia coli (E. coli) contributors to the waterbody as human and unidentified (10%), cattle and domestic animals (25%), and wildlife (65%) in a rural watershed. The illness risks associated with ingestion during recreation were calculated by assigning reference pathogens for each contributing source and using pathogen dose–response relationships. The risk of GI illness was calculated for a specific sampling site with a geometric mean of E. coli of 163 colony forming units (cfu) 100 mL⁻¹, and the recreational standard of E. coli, 126 cfu 100 mL⁻¹. While the most frequent sources of fecal indicator bacteria at the sampling site were nonhuman, the risk of illness from norovirus, the reference pathogen representing human waste, contributed the greatest risk to human health. This study serves as a preliminary review regarding the potential for incorporating results from library-dependent MST to inform a QMRA for recreational waters. The simulations indicated that identifying the sources contributing to the bacterial impairment is critical to estimate the human health risk associated with recreation in a waterbody.

This study examines the results of a random sample survey of Texans evaluating citizen awareness, attitudes, and willingness to adopt water conservation practices. The study investigates changes in public attitudes following the most intense one‐year drought on record in Texas by evaluating public perception of water availability, assessing Texans’ attitudes and perceptions regarding drought conditions, and comparing the number of Texans adopting practices to conserve water before and after the drought of 2011. Almost 70% indicated that the likelihood of their area suffering from a prolonged drought was increasing. More than 61% of respondents have changed the way their yard is landscaped and 62% have also adopted new technologies in an effort to conserve water. Overall, responses indicated that Texans are concerned with water availability after experiencing, in 2011, the worst one‐year drought on record, and that the majority of respondents are taking personal action in an effort to conserve water for the future.

Microbial contamination of private well systems continues to be a prominent drinking water concern, especially for areas impacted by floodwaters. Hurricane Harvey deposited nearly 60 inches of rain, resulting in extensive flooding throughout Houston, Texas, and neighboring counties. A sampling campaign to test private wells for fecal indicator bacteria was initiated in the weeks following flooding. Escherichia coli concentrations measured in wells were utilized in a quantitative microbial risk assessment to estimate the risk of infection for both drinking water and indirect ingestion exposure scenarios. Derived reference pathogen doses indicated that norovirus (1.60 × 10⁻⁴ to 8.32 × 10⁻⁵) and Cryptosporidium (2.37–7.80 × 10⁻⁶) posed the greatest health risk via drinking, with median health risk estimates exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s modified daily risk threshold of 1 × 10⁻⁶ for a gastrointestinal infection. Bathing (1.78 × 10⁻⁶), showering (4.32 × 10⁻⁷), and food/dish washing (1.79 × 10⁻⁶) were also identified to be exposure pathways of health concern. A post-flood microbial risk assessment of private wells in the Gulf Coast has not previously been conducted. Estimating these health risks can provide scientifically supported guidance regarding which well water practices are safest, especially when well water quality is unknown. Developing this guidance is critical as coastal communities experience increased vulnerability to flooding.

The 40 Gallon Challenge is an easy-to-use, comprehensive indoor and outdoor water conservation educational tool. It can be used nationwide and easily incorporated into existing educational programs. Promotional materials and pledge cards are available on the 40 Gallon Challenge website and can be modified by educators. The website displays data related to the impacts of the educational tool nationwide, statewide, and countywide. As of the writing of this article, 10,395 people had read the indoor and outdoor water conservation practices and pledged to save approximately 1.8 million gal of water per day (645 million gal per year).

In a 2008-2009 regional survey, one in six respondents indicated that s(he) received water resource information from Extension. Respondents were most interested in learning about protecting drinking water and fish and wildlife water needs. The interest in other topics depended on respondents' residence inside or outside city limits and involvement in agricultural activities. Respondents preferred learning about water resources from television coverage, newspaper articles, printed materials, or websites (for younger respondents).