 ISTC, a division of the Prairie Research Institute at the University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has committed the resources of its
sponsored research program for 2014 to projects that will
quantifiably contribute to its goal to save 1 billion gallons of
water in Illinois. The center also is encouraging the people of
Illinois to join the challenge by making a
personal
pledge at the Billion Gallon Water Challenge website:
www.istc.illinois.edu/water.cfm.The challenge was announced
April 11 at the Illinois Water Day Conference on the campus of the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This was part of the
U.N.'s World Water Day recognition. ISTC presented posters about the
Billion Gallon Water Challenge and the center's other water use and
reuse projects.
The safety and accessibility of water supplies has been cited as
a major concern by the World Health Organization, the U.S. Agency
for International Development and the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency. The National Academy of Engineering named the quality and
quantity of water as one of the "Grand Challenges for Engineering."
Now the Illinois Legislature has passed versions of legislation
that will help provide $2 billion to improve drinking and wastewater
infrastructure across the state and is working to expand that
program to include urban flooding and cleaning up pollution in
Illinois rivers, lakes and streams.
"Even in a water-rich state like ours, competition for this
resource has increased, and will continue to increase," said ISTC
Director Kevin O'Brien. "Drought conditions around the nation have
impacted Illinois severely over the past few years. We need to
pursue every avenue to preserve water now and for the next
generations."
The ISTC research solicitation invited faculty, engineers,
consultants and others to propose innovations to minimize the use
and waste of Illinois freshwater resources needed for drinking,
hygiene, irrigation, industry, habitats, recreation and many other
needs.
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"Technology will play a key role in maintaining our access to
clean water, diverse habitats and economic prosperity," said
Kishore Rajagopalan, state pollution prevention scientist and
associate director for applied research at ISTC. "Our
businesses, institutions and the people of Illinois will also
play a key role by adopting improved ways to cut waste and use
our water wisely."
ISTC has partnered with WaterSense, the U.S. EPA's program to
promote wise water use through purchasing, process and usage
decisions. WaterSense offers a wealth of information to help
citizens make a difference in water protection and conservation.
To take the Illinois Billion Gallon Water Challenge, visit
www.istc.illinois.edu/water.cfm.
[Text from file received from
Illinois Sustainable
Technology Center]The
Prairie Research
Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is
the home of the Illinois State Scientific Surveys: Illinois Natural
History Survey, Illinois State Archaeological Survey, Illinois State
Geological Survey, Illinois State Water Survey and Illinois
Sustainable Technology Center. The institute was established by
statute in 2008 and builds on reputation of the survey entities for
basic and applied research and service.
The Illinois Sustainable
Technology Center was established in 1985 and joined the Prairie
Research Institute with the other surveys in 2008. Its mission is to
encourage and assist citizens, businesses and government agencies to
prevent pollution, conserve natural resources and reduce waste to
protect human health and the environment of Illinois and beyond.
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