River Pollution: River Pollution: Saving the Wabash Saving the Wabash

RiverRiver

By By Sandeep SureshSandeep Suresh

Freshman, Engineering majorFreshman, Engineering major

OverviewOverview

IntroductionIntroduction Background/HistoryBackground/History ProblemProblem Solution/ MethodSolution/ Method TimelineTimeline BudgetBudget BenefitsBenefits

IntroductionIntroduction

Wabash River or ‘Wabash River or ‘WabashikeWabashike’ ’ Drains over two-thirds of IndianaDrains over two-thirds of Indiana Important role in history of IndianaImportant role in history of Indiana At present, river is pollutedAt present, river is polluted Strategic plan required Strategic plan required

Background/ HistoryBackground/ History

Pollution in Wabash due to 3 main causes:Pollution in Wabash due to 3 main causes:• Waste- treatment plants that do not function Waste- treatment plants that do not function

properly release harmful effluents (ex: ammonia, properly release harmful effluents (ex: ammonia, chlorine etc.) chlorine etc.)

• Runoff from fields where animals graze cause soil Runoff from fields where animals graze cause soil sedimentation.sedimentation.

• Minor level of mercury in fish due to air pollutants Minor level of mercury in fish due to air pollutants which mix with the water during the rains. which mix with the water during the rains.

ProblemProblem

The main cause The main cause runoff from fields runoff from fields• Soil gets washed off fields and banks of rivers.Soil gets washed off fields and banks of rivers.• Nutrients present in the soil mix with the water.Nutrients present in the soil mix with the water.• Bacteria like E coli. grow due to nutrients.Bacteria like E coli. grow due to nutrients.

Residents are aware but are not educated Residents are aware but are not educated about the present situationabout the present situation

• Common misperception – Wabash is being Common misperception – Wabash is being polluted with pollutants.polluted with pollutants.

Solution MethodSolution Method

Portfolio introductionPortfolio introduction – – to mayor and city councilto mayor and city council InvitationInvitation – – to potential members through flyers and to potential members through flyers and

advertisementadvertisement FormationFormation- - create posts for programcreate posts for program

• Meeting coordinatorMeeting coordinator: : to select the places to hold the meetings, to select the places to hold the meetings, time and organize the meetingtime and organize the meeting

• Survey coordinatorSurvey coordinator: : to organize and direct the ‘river watchers’ to to organize and direct the ‘river watchers’ to observe certain points of the Wabash and collect data.observe certain points of the Wabash and collect data.

• River watchersRiver watchers: : work in groups of four which will observe the work in groups of four which will observe the points identify if the point is critical or not.points identify if the point is critical or not.

• Volunteer workersVolunteer workers: : will perform work on the river which will help in will perform work on the river which will help in preventing sedimentation in the Wabash River.preventing sedimentation in the Wabash River.

InvestigationInvestigation ImplementationImplementation

TimelineTimeline

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20072007

Present Mayor Jan Mills with my portfolio which will be Present Mayor Jan Mills with my portfolio which will be later addressed to the city councillater addressed to the city council

Prepare flyers to invite residents to callout and hold Prepare flyers to invite residents to callout and hold informational sessioninformational session

Hold event and explain the terms of the program and Hold event and explain the terms of the program and allow people to register as volunteers allow people to register as volunteers

Hold discussion and brain-storming sessions fortnightly Hold discussion and brain-storming sessions fortnightly

Volunteers will survey critical areas in the West Volunteers will survey critical areas in the West Lafayette regionLafayette region

Volunteers will implement the methods to prevent soil Volunteers will implement the methods to prevent soil erosionerosion

BudgetBudget

My proposed budget will be ~ $460My proposed budget will be ~ $460• FlyersFlyers for the callout for the callout• Posting Posting advertisementadvertisement in the Journal and Courier in the Journal and Courier

for 2 daysfor 2 days• Printing Printing registration formsregistration forms for potential members for potential members

BenefitsBenefits

Encourage residents to participate thereby Encourage residents to participate thereby promoting community involvementpromoting community involvement

Revive and restore an integral part of Revive and restore an integral part of Indiana’s historyIndiana’s history

Set an example that will be followed all Set an example that will be followed all over the countryover the country