By Aaron Holtz

CORVALLIS, OR -- As one stares at the large bulletin board full of information about meetings, events, groups, etc. you become overwhelmed. How on Earth will you find a topic about something you know nothing about but want to in such a short amount of time?

You decide it would be best to think unique.

You leave the large bulletin board that had all of the usual information and decide to seek out an obscure area that not many people walk through. Some place that is going to give you inspiration. You walk into a back corridor of the Memorial Union at Oregon State University and find a brightly colored, well-designed flyer that discusses a “water research symposium.” Having never heard of any event title containing those three words you immediately decide to inquire.

As one does more research, you find out that OSU has a Hydrophiles student group that has more than 100 graduate and undergraduate students involved.

This year will mark the OSU Hydrophiles’ second annual Water Research Symposium and will feature oral and poster presentations from students attending OSU, UO, PSU, UP, Western Oregon University, and Willamette University. The Symposium will be on May 18, 2012 in the OSU Memorial Union. The event is run under the supervision of Dr. Michael Campana and Dr. Mary Santelmann, advisors for the Hydrophiles student group and professors in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences.

“Water is a subject that transcends discipline and requires an inter or multi-disciplinary approach to management,” says Kim Ogren, President of the OSU Hydrophiles student group. “By providing an opportunity for students in various disciplines to learn from one another, we are helping prepare the next generation of water managers to face the complex challenges of water management that lay ahead in the next 20 years.”

Ogren explains that the Symposium will feature presentations from students in many different disciplines, including water science, engineering, geography, soil science, and many more. While this is only the second Water Research Symposium OSU has hosted, it is a chance for graduate students in Oregon to showcase their work and potentially make headway in the field of water research in the Willamette Valley and Oregon.

According to the OSU Hydrophiles Constitution, a purpose of the group is to promote “awareness of and educate the Oregon State University community about hydrologic and water resource issues.” This means that events the group puts on try to provide as much information to the community as possible. Some of the events that the Hydrophiles group holds are luncheon presentations, “Hydro Happy Hour”, and larger events like the Symposium.

Racquel Rancier, a graduate student studying Water Research Policy and Management, is a member of this year’s planning committee organizing the Symposium.

“This year we have a great group of graduate students,” says Rancier. “Several of us had a vision to make this THE water event across campus and promote sharing across disciplines.”

She talks about how her final goals in water research are to start working on making policies and solutions to help restore ecosystems, allocate water efficiently, sanitize water effectively and increase American Indian access to water. All without disturbing the current distribution of water resources.

When asked why she chose water research, Rancier enthusiastically replied, “[because] water is amazing!” While living in California she became aware that there was tension between Los Angeles and the East Sierra region of Owens Valley. “Deciding how water is allocated has significant impacts on everything that is important for humans and ecosystems - which is why it is such an interesting field to work in,” states Rancier.

The result of this poorly allocated water resource dried up Owens Lake, which greatly impacted the local community and ecosystem. The OSU Hydrophiles group and Water Research Symposium aim to prevent this kind of environmental devastation.

It is not a secret that the world is in a water shortage crisis. Even places as wet and damp as Oregon have been affected by droughts over the past few years. According to the Oregon Public Broadcasting’s production regarding the history of water use in Oregon, our water supplies are dependent on mountain snowmelt and water reservoir capacity. Between 1990 and 2000, many rivers in Oregon had so much water taken out they actually fell below the legal limit. As water levels fall dangerously low, the sanitation and health of our supply drastically decreases as well. In 2000, one quarter of Oregonians used drinking water that failed to meet health safety standards.

On the other side of the spectrum is Dr. John Matthews, an ecologist who mainly works on sustainable water management in developing countries. “I think that Oregon’s water is doing pretty well, but I have some seriously messed up bases of comparison (think India),” says Dr. Matthews. “I think we have too much infrastructure, and we don't manage salmon well.”

Being an ecologist allows Dr. Matthews to view water research from an environmental point of view. He sees water as something that must be distributed evenly, not just among humans, but animals as well.

“In my opinion, having a very long term view - decades to centuries - is the best way to keep water sources sustainable,” states Dr. Matthews. “It's hard to do, but I think that's the best way.” Looking forward to a plan that can help maintain our water supplies is critical.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) estimates that nearly 30 percent, or seven billion gallons for water, is used for outdoor personal use. In the summer months that number can reach almost 70 percent. This means that Americans are using water that can be distributed other places in order to water their lawns and wash their cars. The USEPA recommends sweeping driveways and washing cars in commercial car washes that recycle their water.

Dr. Michael Campana, advisor and professor in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, believes that our water supply needs to be better managed and maintained for the good of our population.

“[I study] hydrogeology - subsurface water - and water resources management,” says Dr. Campana. “We can better allocate water by pricing it accordingly. It is too cheap.” According to Dr. Campana, we need to pay more for water so that we value, conserve, and are able to replace our existing water system.

Keeping our water sources clean for the population is also an important topic to Dr. Campana. Improving how we clean our water of toxins can keep future generations safe.

“I am not necessarily talking about just agricultural and industrial chemicals,” says Dr. Campana, “but the pharmaceuticals, household products, illicit drugs, etc., that are not removed by our wastewater treatment plants. Some of these chemicals' effects on living things are not well known.”

The Hydrophiles group at OSU started 15 years ago, when graduate students studying water across many different disciplines decided to connect and share their ideas of water research and conservation. Since then, the OSU Hydrophiles group has created the Water Resources Graduate Program and organized the campus-wide Water Resources Seminar Series. Social events put on by the Hydrophiles student group help to provide information about water research and conservation to the OSU community.

“We are hoping,” says Ogren, “that the Symposium will provide a place for students, faculty, and professionals to connect and will strengthen the bonds in the water community in the Willamette Valley and Oregon.”

The Second Annual Water Research Symposium will be held on May 18, 2012, at the OSU Memorial Union Rooms 211, 212, 213. The Symposium will begin at 8 a.m. and run until 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information visit groups.oregonstate.edu/hydro/2012-osu-water-research-symposium.

Note: This article was written by OSU student Aaron Holtz for a class assignment and is posted with his permission.