PROTECTING GROUNDWATER-SOURCE DRINKING-WATER SUPPLY THROUGH UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT LEARNING, TEACHING, RESEARCH, AND SERVICE

Each municipality in Indiana is required to develop a state-approved, five-step comprehensive plan to protect the ground-water source of their public drinking-water supply. Students and faculty in the Earth and Environmental Science Department at Taylor University are using an integrated approach of student learning, teaching, research, and public service to create information and develop management strategies to fulfill the requirements for a Wellhead Protection Program (WHPP) for the Town of Upland, Indiana.

The approach includes four aspects. (1) Learning by students of the principles of groundwater in introductory and advanced courses. Special emphasis is placed on the hydrogeology and mechanics of water supply and protection within Upland. (2) Teaching by introductory-level students, through required service-learning activities, to local 6th grade science classes. Lessons include information on groundwater, water supply systems, sources of groundwater contamination and the Upland WHPP. The college students developed a presentation, and associated educational materials (lesson plans, posters, videos, and classroom activities), that will be used by the 6th grade teachers in subsequent years. (3) Applied research by students completing a detailed potential contamination source inventory as a class project in an upper-level Environmental Planning course. One student from the course, Douglas, is completing a mathematical human-health risk assessment for each identified source. (4) Service to the community by creation and publication of materials for adult public education. Another student, Pamela, created a brochure, a poster, and a web site on groundwater issues and the Upland WHPP. The advising faculty member, Michael, is also serving as the Chair of the WHPP Local Planning Team.

All aspects of this project combine to render a valuable learning experience to the students and a service to the Town of Upland by providing the information necessary to complete the WHPP through step four. This work is being funded by the Indiana Campus Compact, which encourages and supports community service from institutions of higher learning.