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Newsletter of the V.I. Planning Office and the V.1. Water Resources Research Center Caribbean Research Institute College of the Virgin Islands, St.Thomas, US.Virgin Islands 00801 809/774-1252 Ext. 250 ieee Valen den tNO CISTERN MICROBIOLOGY STUDIES Dr. Harvey Winters and Richard Isquith of Fairleigh Dickinson Uni- versity, with WRRC support, is con- ducting a study of the microorgan- isms in domestic cistern water sup- plies in the Virgin Islands. The classic triad of water-borne diseases are enteric fever, bacil- lary dysentary and cholera. These diseases are controlled in public water supply systems through the use of chlorine. Cisterns are a major source of water in the VI and water in these cisterns are not chlorinated or covered by the Safe Drinking Water Act and therefore might be an adverse impact on pub- lic health. The analysis is focusing on an overall assessment of the types of heterotrophic bacteria and algae and protozoa found to occur. The ‘bacterial study is directed towards those organisms capable of causing disease in water supplies while the algae and protozoa study will be used to indicate the level of microbial diversity as well as to’ identify any of the eucaryotic organisms which can be pathogenic to man. Direct examination of the cistern waters for sedimentation floculation, and odors will dictate if a search should be made for other groups of bacteria such as autotronphs. - 1980 Edited By: Hen Smith The results of the research will suggest if any steps should be taken to insure that cistern water supplies have no adverse impact on the public health. RUNOFF STUDY COMPLETED The Ecological Research Center in cooperation with the Water Center has completed a study on the effects of rainfall runoff on two bays on St. John, Virgin Islands. Two undeveloped bays were sampled for a one year period. Rainfall and runoff were measured for each of the watersheds and salinity, tem- perature, nutrient and plankton data were collected from the bays. Runoff into the bay was calculated and its effects were assessed in light of the ecological parameters. The results were interesting because they indicate that the effects of the runoff on light penetration, salinity, nutrient levels and pro- ductivity, as related to plankton numbers, were minimal in the un- developed bays studied. Changes, when they occurred, were of short duration and generally localized to inner portions of the bays. This is apparently due, in part, to the natural beach berms and low- lying mangrove areas behind the beaches. restraining or slowing the runoff water before it passes into the bay. This in turn reduces the fresh water, silt and terrestrially little or no special orientation with regard to the sun. The water produc- tion penalty that is paid for this approach is that instead of produc- ing one gallon per day of water for each ten square feet of roof area, only 50% of the amount will be pro- duced. Some indication has been that the water production penalty for this type of approach may nto be as high as 50%. In a single test section (12 feet long by 2 feet wide) which was constructed and is operating at the West Indies Laboratory: on St. Croix, it was found that the pro- duction penalty may not be as high as 50% since this crude test section has experienced a number of days when the production rate substantially exceeded original estimates. As to the quality of the water at the West Indies Lab- Oratory and is producing water of under 30 parts per million totally dissolved solids from untreated sea- water. For those readers who would like to know more about this project, or would like to visit the test section, or who may be planning to build their own solar still, please feel free to contact Don Bullock at the WRRC. WAA TA' STATISTICS Rainfall (inches) April May St. Croix Cotton Valley 2033 1.82 East End 2.27 1.02 Sprat Hall 6.92 3.02 St. Thomas Fort Mylner 2.28 4.70 Estate Hope 3.55 7.75 Estate Wintberg 2.26 5.03 St. John Cruz Bay 2.50 6.16 Catheringberg 389 5.42 WAPA Water Production (Gallons) St. Thomas 28,350,072 31,350,048 St. Croix 31,912,334 6,865,790 CITIZEN'S HANDBOOK As part of its information dis- semination program, the Water Resources Research Center at the Caribbean Research Institute, College of the Virgin Islands has once more made available to the public a publication entitled "Citizens' Handbook: Virgin Islands Water Law". The hand- book is an outgrowth of a con- ference sponsored by the Water Center, the VI Water Resources Commission and the VI Planning Office in June 1978. The con- ference was tiled "Virgin Islands Water Law: Just Distribution of a Scarce Resourve". The handbook, written by Attorney Gwenellen Janov, opens by pre- senting the history of water law in the Virgin Islands. Then appropriation permits are examined Procedures on how to apply for a permit are covered in detail. Sample forms for permit applica- tions are included. Lastly special rules relating to digging, plugging, sealing and capping of wells are discussed. Copies of the report may be obtained by calling the Water Center at 774-1252 ext. 249% or 251 or by writing: Water Resources Research Center, Caribbean Research Institute, College of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas,VI 00801