Science for Society : Illinois State Water Survey

              Science for Society Abundant and clean water and clean air —
these are resources most of us take for granted.
But recent events and contemporary trends make
it prudent that Illinois continues to manage,
protect, and use these resources based on sound
science.
A severe statewide drought in 1988 reduced
streamflow and reservoir levels to critical levels.
Just five years later in 1993, unprecedented
rainfall drove Mississippi River levels to record
high floods. Vigorous economic and population
growth in northeastern Illinois is putting
pressure on existing water resources and on the
quality of air and water. Restructuring of the
electric utility industry is resulting in new water-consuming
electricity generation plants being
built across the state. And looking to the future,
the potential for global and regional climate
change poses a risk of uncertain magnitude to
water resources.
The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) has
been a leader in the study of water resources for
more than a century. Founded in 1895, its
original mission was to survey the waters of
Illinois to trace the spread of waterborne disease,
ensure health and safety of public water supplies,
improve wastewater treatment, and help develop
sanitary standards for drinking water.
The ISWS mission and scope have expanded
to include varied scientific research and service
programs relating to water and atmospheric
resources of interest to Illinois. These programs
are funded through state appropriations, as well
and grants and contracts from local, state, and
federal agencies, universities, private organiza-tions,
and businesses. Scientific information
provided by the ISWS is used to manage natural
resources, protect public health, and enhance
public welfare and economic development.
The ISWS is a Division of the Office of
Scientific Research and Analysis in the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources and an
affiliated agency of the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign. The main ISWS offices are
in Champaign, with additional offices in Peoria
and Carbondale.
Illinois State Water Survey
2204 Griffith Drive
Champaign, IL 61820-7495
(217) 244-5459
TDD: (217) 782-9175
Fax: (217) 333-6540
Web: http://www.sws.uiuc.edu
...the primary
agency in Illinois
for research and
information on
surface water,
ground water, and
the atmosphere . . .
. . . the mission is achieved
through basic and applied
research; by collecting,
analyzing, archiving, and
disseminating objective
scientific and engineering
data and informtion; and
through service and
extension programs . . .
. . . this information provides a
sound technical basis for the citizens
and policymakers of Illinois and the
nation to make wise social,
economic, and environmental
decisions.
          	
 
  
 
     
    
        

   
     
I/EM 2001-02
Illinois
State
Survey