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Imperial Valley Water Authority
For more than 30 years, PRI scientists have collaborated closely with the Imperial Valley Water Authority (IVWA), which comprises all of Mason County and four townships in Tazewell County. To aid the trustees in understanding and managing the region’s water supply, PRI operates a network of rain gauges and groundwater observation wells, collecting long-term data…
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Lead in drinking (well) water
Identifying elevated lead concentrations and working with homeowners and public health workers to mitigate sources of lead in water is vital, as lead exposure can cause serious damage to children’s developing brains. PRI scientists and collaborators from the University of Illinois Chicago, Northern Illinois University, and county public health departments measured lead levels in homes…
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Mahomet aquifer
The Mahomet aquifer is the primary source of drinking water for more than 500,000 people in 15 Illinois counties and provides an estimated 220 million gallons of water per day for residential, industrial, and agricultural uses. PRI scientists have conducted extensive mapping, modeling, and monitoring of the aquifer to better understand its boundaries, capacity, and…
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McHenry County groundwater
PRI scientists worked with county and municipal agencies and conservation and park districts in McHenry County to address concerns about potential contamination and overuse of the county’s groundwater resources. PRI evaluated groundwater resources and developed maps for land- and water-use planning and conducted groundwater modeling that provides planners with an understanding of the impact of…
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Gulf Coast tick
In 2020, surveillance and testing conducted by PRI’s Medical Entomology Lab determined that the Gulf Coast tick, usually found in the Southeast along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, is becoming established in Illinois. They also found that this tick often harbors the pathogen that causes Tidewater spotted fever. To date, the Gulf Coast tick has…
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Northeastern Illinois water supply
According to assessments by PRI scientists, the aquifer system that supplies Will, Kendall, Kane, and McHenry counties is projected not to be able to meet the monthly water demand in parts of the region by 2030. Planning committees and policymakers from Joliet and surrounding communities rely on PRI scientists to assess and monitor the aquifers’…
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Middle Illinois water supply planning
PRI completed an initial assessment of water supply in the Middle Illinois region in 2018. Significant water resources, including both groundwater and surface water, are available to meet demands in the Middle Illinois region. Most of the region (encompassing LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Peoria, Putnam, Stark, and Woodford counties) can use groundwater resources from two major aquifer…
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Barrington area water resources
In an ongoing collaboration with the Barrington Area Council of Governments (BACOG) aimed at helping people understand and protect critical water resources, PRI scientists have provided the Barrington area and its policymakers with vital information on groundwater and surface water resources. This has included the research and data that provided the foundation for BACOG’s study…
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Lake County mapping
For more than a decade, PRI geologists have worked with county and municipal agencies and conservation and park districts in Lake County, developing geologic maps to support land- and water-use planning. County officials recognized the need for science-based, sustainable water supply management, and PRI mapping helps officials address a wide range of issues, including: –…
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Forest Preserves of Cook County
PRI scientists worked with the Forest Preserves of Cook County to develop a comprehensive natural and cultural resources master plan for the more than 69,000 acres of public land it manages, approximately 11% of Cook County. In addition to helping FPCC combat invasive species and strategically plan restoration work, PRI archaeologists surveyed 4,000 acres and…