Learn about Wildcat water quality on September 27
September 14, 2006
KOKOMO, Ind.—Preliminary results of a Howard County water quality study will be discussed in a public forum hosted by Indiana University Kokomo on Wednesday September 27. The campus’ Department of Natural, Information, and Mathematical Sciences has partnered with the Wildcat Creek Watershed Alliance (WCWA) and the Wildcat Guardians to present the 7:30 p.m. event in Kresge Auditorium. Admission and parking are free.
The evening will focus on the Wildcat Creek Kitty Run-Stahl Ditch Watershed. The watershed drains approximately 29,000 acres of land in central Howard County and is a drinking water and recreation resource for the area. The acreage includes the majority of the City of Kokomo’s municipal jurisdiction and extends east to State Road 19 and west to County Road 700 West.
Since early 2005, the WCWA has been developing a management plan that would identify water quality and natural resource problems in the watershed, and suggest solutions. Funded by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant, the project is administered by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
The Wildcat Guardians are citizen volunteers dedicated to improving the health and beauty of the Howard County’ Wildcat Creek and educating local residents on the creek’s natural and cultural value.
To date, the watershed planning project has identified problems with elevated concentrations of nutrients, total suspended solids, and E. coli bacteria, which is a potential source of disease. “Numerous potential sources have been identified as contributing to the watershed’s pollution including inadequately functioning septic systems, combined sewer overflows, illicit connections to storm sewers, urban development, and agricultural run-off,” said Zach Bishton of Christopher B. Burke Engineering. WCWA hired Burke Engineering to conduct the watershed study.
“While much work has been completed to date, the plan will not be effective without receiving adequate support from local stakeholders who live, work, and recreate within the watershed,” Bishton said. “The forum will provide members of the public an opportunity to learn about preliminary study results, raise questions, and voice support for solutions to identified problems.”
During the forum, IU Kokomo Associate Professor of Microbiology Christian Chauret, Ph.D., and his student Laura Fincher of Converse will discuss their research regarding E. coli bacteria in the Wildcat Creek watershed. Chauret and Fincher will define the relative risks associated with the presence of E. coli in local bodies of water used for recreation.
The Indiana-American Water Company will provide refreshments.
For more information, contact Zach Bishton at zbishton@cbbel-in.com or (317) 266-8000. Persons without campus parking passes should follow the signs for special event parking for the lecture.
