Research Output
1 - 10 of 18
Publication
Water Framework Directive - integration, negotiation and communication of optimal measures with stakeholders (WINCOMS) : STRIVE report
2006-12, Bruen, Michael, Kelly, Mary, Magette, W. L., Gaffey, E., Kochanek, K., Bryan, S., Hallissey, Ronan
Publication
A hierarchy for land application of organic wastes : influence of urban stakeholders
2010-09, Taffese Tanto, Mebrate, Magette, W. L.
Publication
Attitudes and behaviour towards waste management in the Dublin, Ireland region
2010-10, Purcell, M., Magette, W. L.
The hypothesis of this research was that attitudes about the management of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) are spatially variable, even within a city of modest (1.2 million) population. For a select number of representative electoral districts in the Dublin, Ireland region, residents were surveyed regarding attitudes towards waste management in general, and BMW management in particular. A total of 850 survey responses were collected. Door-to-door interviews produced 688 responses in the residential sector; these were supplemented by 162 responses to a web-based survey.
The surveys revealed that the majority of households use local authority, rather than private, waste collection services (both are available). The majority of residents, regardless of the local authority in which they live, were satisfied with their waste management service. “Reducing the quantity of waste generated” was regarded the most important future issue for 28% of residential respondents. Statistical analyses of the survey responses showed that the local authority in which respondents resided significantly influenced most responses (including waste collection service used, waste service satisfaction and backyard composting activity). Many responses (including waste service satisfaction, waste management influences) were also significantly related to the respondents’ personal characteristics (e.g., education level, type of accommodation, age, etc.). These statistical results proved the hypothesis of the research and demonstrated that waste management initiatives designed for one area of the city (or, indeed, for uniform application to the city as a whole) could ignore the needs of other areas. The survey responses suggest that targeted intervention strategies would lead to improved diversion rates of BMW from landfill, a requirement of the Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC.
Publication
Identifying critical source areas for phosphorus loss in Ireland using field and catchment scale ranking schemes
2005-03, Hughes, K.J., Magette, W. L., Kurz, I.
Phosphorus (P) in agricultural runoff is a major pollutant in many of Ireland's surface waters. Identification of areas that are at a high risk for P loss to surface waters is a critical component of river basin management. Two P ranking schemes (PRS's) were developed for Ireland, based on multi-criteria analysis approaches proposed in both the US and Europe, to predict the relative likelihood of P loss at both the field and catchment scales. The Field PRS was evaluated by comparing predicted rankings of potential P loss and transport against measured edge-of-field Dissolved Reactive P (DRP) loss for three fields with varying soil P levels. Qualitatively, results indicated that the Field PRS rankings corresponded to the magnitudes of measured P loss for the field sites, as well as to a reasoned evaluation of the relative likelihood that the fields would lose P that would subsequently make its way to surface water. The Catchment PRS was evaluated on a total of 31 catchments and sub-catchments by comparing predicted rankings of potential P loss and transport against measured in-stream median Molybdate Reactive P (MRP). Rankings of the relative likelihood of P loss and transport predicted by the Catchment PRS were positively correlated with median in-stream MRP (r=0.51, P<0.05). Although the data available for these evaluations were limited, especially at field scale, and further research may identify the opportunity for modifications, both field and catchment scale P ranking schemes demonstrated a potential for identifying critical P source areas within catchments dominated by grass-based agricultural production systems, such as those in Ireland.
Publication
A nitrate groundwater standard for the 1990 farm bill
1989, Magette, W. L., Weismiller, R. A., Angle, J. S., et al.
Overuse of fertilizer and/or animal wastes has been cited as the reason for elevated nitrate concentrations in groundwater in agricultural areas. In coastal plain regions of the United States and in other areas where farming practices are conducted over aquifers in unconsolidated sediments, nitrate contamination may occur primarily as a result of climactic abnormalities even when the nutrients are used according to recommended practices. Water quality standards are often cited as a way to protect to protect groundwater quality. Research suggests that current best management practices are not capable of allowing producers in coastal plain regions to always comply with a nitrate standard for groundwater of 10mg/l of nitrate.
Publication
Urban attitude towards land application of municipal and industrial biosolids
2010-03, Taffese Tanto, Mebrate, Magette, W. L.
Managing municipal and industrial biosolids by recycling through the land is currently a strategic policy direction in Ireland. Although recycling biosolids is a plausible management alternative it can also be a contentious issue. A descriptive- correlational study was conducted in the city of Dublin, Ireland to determine the public’s knowledge about biosolids and attitude to biosolids recycling. Door-to-door surveys of 500 households were conducted. Data were evaluated with respect to population demographics (gender, age, education level, etc.) and contingency analysis was performed. The results show that , while a general high level of consensus exists on the general idea of recycling of waste and beneficial reuse of biosolids, support decreases the closer (both physically and psychologically) this activity is to respondents. There is a gap between people’s positive view of biosolids as a resource and the scepticism about recycling biosolids. To make biosolids reuse on land more appealing to an urban community, education and awareness campaigns should capitalise on the positive views the public has about biosolids as a resource and the concept of recycling.
Publication
Targeted intervention strategies to optimise diversion of BMW in the Dublin, Ireland region
2011-09, Purcell, M., Magette, W. L.
Urgent transformation is required in Ireland to divert biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) from landfill and prevent increases in overall waste generation. When BMW is optimally managed, it becomes a resource with value instead of an unwanted by-product requiring disposal. An analysis of survey responses from commercial and residential sectors for the Dublin region in previous research by the authors proved that attitudes towards and behaviour regarding municipal solid waste is spatially variable. This finding indicates that targeted intervention strategies designed for specific geographic areas should lead to improved diversion rates of BMW from landfill, a requirement of the Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC. In the research described in this paper, survey responses and GIS model predictions from previous research were the basis for goal setting, after which logic modelling and behavioural research were employed to develop site-specific waste management intervention strategies. The main strategies devised include (a) roll out of the Brown Bin (Organics) Collection and Community Workshops in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, (b) initiation of a Community Composting Project in Dublin City (c) implementation of a Waste Promotion and Motivation Scheme in South Dublin (d) development and distribution of a Waste Booklet to promote waste reduction activities in Fingal (e) region wide distribution of a Waste Booklet to the commercial sector and (f) Greening Irish Pubs Initiative. Each of these strategies was devised after interviews with both the residential and commercial sectors to help make optimal waste management the norm for both sectors. Strategy (b), (e) and (f) are detailed in this paper. By integrating a human element into accepted waste management approaches, these strategies will make optimal waste behaviour easier to achieve. Ultimately this will help divert waste from landfill and improve waste management practice as a whole for the region. This method of devising targeted intervention strategies can be adapted for many other regions.
Publication
Eutrophication from agricultural sources : field- and catchment-scale risk assessment
2007, Magette, W. L., Hallissey, Ronan, Hughes, Kristen, Cosgrove, Emer
Publication
Mathematical model as a standard procedure to analyze small and large water distribution networks
2015-11-01, Prieto Lage, Miguel Ángel, Murado García, Miguel Anxo, Bartlett, John, Magette, W. L., Curran, Thomas P.
Currently, more research to implement and monitor cleaner production practices for distribution and sustainable management of natural and alternative water sources to comply with the demands of the different users while preserving water levels are needed. In this paper, a periodic hourly-based model with meaningful parameters has been developed to analyze and forecast water demand as a function of time, thus enabling a better understanding of the consumption pattern and the condition of the pipe network. The model was tested by investigating the daily water consumption from selected categories of users which were isolated from different distribution networks in Sligo, Ireland. The flow data used was obtained in 15-min intervals and averaged in different time periods for analysis. In all cases, the model fittings obtained were highly consistent and all the parameters showed satisfactory confidence intervals (α = 0.05), thus demonstrating the reliability of this approach. The model provides a quick analysis revealing the regularities of water demand that could benefit water utility managers and researchers: to obtain optimal regulation and pumping schemes; for planning and design purposes; to control unexpected scenarios that can take place during the distribution of water; the performance of water distribution systems; and to locate possible network failures. In addition, the model parameters can be used as standard criteria for water utilities to compare precisely the water demand between different areas, identify complex trends and analyze the pipe network for managing, auditing and monitoring purposes.