Author: TWRI
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AgriLife Research study identifies contributing factors to groundwater table declines
It’s no secret that groundwater levels have declined across the state over the past eight decades and that the primary reason was the onset of irrigation in agriculture and population growth. But a recent Texas A&M AgriLife Research study has identified other factors having an impact. The groundwater declines have been most severe in the past four…
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Texas A&M researcher measures water security in the Rio Grande Valley
A Texas A&M researcher has found that segments of the population, especially along the Texas-Mexico border, exist in a “no-win waterscape,” with no easy access to clean water, no ability to pay for it and no immediate solution. Dr. Wendy Jepson, an associate professor in the College of Geosciences, said the issue is a matter of…
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Texas A&M researchers devise unprecedented test to detect water contamination
Imagine being able to test water for the tiniest levels of waste contamination, even at home. A team of researchers at Texas A&M University, led by Vladislav Yakovlev, professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, has developed a method to detect a previously undetectable level of contamination in water associated with human and animal fecal matter.…
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From our director: The state of the institutes
At the Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources (IRNR) and the Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI), we share a complementary mission. Our role is to advance the interdisciplinary approaches required to effectively address complex natural resource challenges. Since land and water activities are intrinsically linked, the Institutes collaborate on a wide range of issues.…
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Automated meter infrastructure project: How technology can reduce water usage
If people knew it cost around $20 extra at the end of the month to leave their water hose on overnight, they might be more conscious about making sure it’s off. At least that’s the idea that Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station are testing in…
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River course: TAMU graduate students gain experiential learning on Rio Grande
Learning about river hydrology is more impactful in a canoe than in a classroom – or at least that’s what a new graduate student course is betting on. “We’re doing a study of the Rio Grande as a part of our graduate water program here,” said Dr. Ronald Kaiser, chair of the Water Management and Hydrological…
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TSSWCB commemorates 75 years of soil and water conservation
May 29 marked the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Texas Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) and the organization is celebrating its diamond jubilee throughout the rest of the year. According to Rusty Ray, public affairs specialist at TSSWCB, the annual state meeting of Soil And Water Conservation District Directors will commemorate the 75th anniversary and will…
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Rainwater harvesting soaking in
After a long dry period, many parts of the state have finally received some badly needed rain, and those with rainwater harvesting systems have been reaping the rewards of this belated gift from Mother Nature, said Texas A&M AgriLife water resources experts. “Rainwater harvesting is a time-tested and effective means of water conservation and irrigation,”…
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Keeping landscapes in shape: There’s an app for that
Many tools are available for turf managers to help monitor soil or weather conditions, diagnose turf problems or even take the guesswork out of selecting the best-suited grass type for the shade environment, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Research turf expert. Dr. Ben Wherley, an assistant professor for turfgrass science/ecology with AgriLife Research and…
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New txH2O examines groundwater in Texas
Did you know groundwater is the largest source of water in Texas, comprising almost 60 percent of water use in the state? Did you also know that storing water supplies underground is becoming an important tool for helping Texans meet future water demands? You can learn about these groundwater issues in Texas and more in…
