The testing stations, which are part of an
environmental grant from Illinois American Water, will allow
students to collect water samples from adjacent farmland. Workers
from the water utility were on site to assist in installing drainage
systems and the stations.
Using four water testing stations, it will be possible to collect
data to quantify baseline estimates of annual fertilizer and
pesticide runoff. Those estimates can then be used to study the
impact of native cover crop planting to mitigate nutrient runoff.
Lincoln College was awarded an environmental grant from Illinois
American Water of $2,714, as well as an in-kind donation of water
testing through Illinois American Water’s certified lab in
Belleville, valued at over $3,000, for the project. The combined
value of the grant and in-kind contribution made the Lincoln College
grant the largest of 10 grants awarded by the company this year.
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This funding is an integral part of Lincoln College’s growing
initiatives to increase access to research-based information in order to help
improve local water quality and soil health through nutrient management planning
of local agricultural land.
[Mark Gordon
Public Relations and Media Manager
Lincoln College]
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