Original Resources
CONSERVE has developed original resources explaining the different aspects of water reuse in agriculture based on peer-reviewed academic research. These resources are designed for community members, farmers, extension educators, and teachers.
Resource Toolkits by Industry
Case Studies
CONSERVE’s Extension team is proud to present two original documentaries and companion reports that profile innovative water use in Maryland.
Putting Recycled Water to Work in Maryland Agriculture
Farmers need clean water to grow crops that are safe for human consumption. But what happens when the freshwater sources farmers rely on become stressed or unavailable? Learn about an innovative partnership that harnesses water reuse to safely and sustainably grow crops on one Maryland farm.
Companion report available here.
Watering Seeds of Change with Rainwater
Companion report available here.
CONSERVE Extension Publications
By: Mayhah Suri, Paul Goeringer, Dr. Rachel Rosenberg Goldstein
As the demand for water grows, the amount of water will remain the same, making it important to find new and reliable sources of water for agricultural production. One possibility is using highly treated effluent from municipal wastewater treatment plants, also known as reclaimed or recycled water. This guide is a review of the Maryland Department of Environment Guidelines for Use of Class IV Reclaimed Water: High Potential for Human Contact and what it means for farmers interested in using reclaimed water on their farm.
By: Mayhah Suri, Samantha Ammons, Dr. Rachel Rosenberg Goldstein
Due to increasing stress on existing water resources, many farmers are considering alternative water sources to maintain the long-term sustainability of production. One option is recycled water, highly treated municipal wastewater that is then used for agricultural and other beneficial purposes. Farmers have expressed interest in recycled water but want to know if consumers would buy products made with it. This document is a summary of results from economics experiments on consumer willingness to pay for agricultural products made with recycled water, including how different types of information affect consumer willingness to pay for these products.
By: Mayhah Suri, Daphne Pee, and Dr. Rachel E. Rosenberg Goldstein
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) requires farmers to test water used for agricultural production for generic E. coli. This document helps farmers understand how to interpret their water testing results, environmental factors that can impact those results, and solutions for high bacteria levels.
Learning Modules
This program is for crop producers and handlers to learn important concepts about water quality, microbiology, and their impact on food safety. Understanding food safety science will help producers and handlers comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Mitigating microbial contamination is a major concern among growers and consumers alike. Following fresh produce safety guidelines are critical for preventing contamination and illness.
The full course course is free with a complimentary registration at Campus eXtension. Available here.
Animations
These original videos explore the connections between water, food, and humans.
Water is the basis of all life on Earth. Treating and managing water in a sustainable and integrated way helps maintain water quantity and quality for a variety of uses, including agriculture. Less than 1% of the world's water is fresh water that we can easily use. To help farmers produce food for growing populations, scientists are working on new techniques for water reuse and exploring nontraditional irrigation water sources.
Water Sampling and Testing Interactive Lab
This interactive game allows the user to virtually collect water samples at our test sites in the Southwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Users are presented with a variety of sampling situations, including variations in weather and other on-site challenges, and are prompted to adjust their sampling methods accordingly. Then take those samples to the lab to test them and learn to understand the results.
This a great tool to understand the real-life challenges associated with collecting and testing water samples in a project such as CONSERVE.
A Special Thanks to:
New Mexico State University (NMSU) Learning Games Lab Consultants
CONSERVE Design Summit participants
Copyright 2018 New Mexico State University. CONSERVE was awarded to the University of Maryland School of Public Health and is supported by the United States Department of Agriculture-National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Grant number 20166800725064. NMSU and the University of Maryland are equal opportunity/affirmative action employers.
Water Reuse Glossary
Gray water vs Wastewater? Reused vs. Recycled water? Are you confused by all the different terms? Get it all straight with this glossary of terms most commonly used in water recycling and water reuse.