In the News

Pioneer Press Lake Forester, May 7, 2009

State Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest) will host a public water summit regarding pharmaceutical contamination in Illinois' waterways at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 11 at Lake Forest Health and Fitness Center, 1200 N. Westmoreland, Lake Forest.

Dr. William J. Cooper, professor of civil and environmental engineering and director of the Urban Water Research Center at the University of California-Irvine will present research that includes the use of advanced techniques to remove pharmaceutical contaminants found in wastewater. His research focuses on such techniques as oxidation with emphasis on the plausible removal of contaminants during the water filtration process.

Key water quality officials, including representatives from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Department of Public Health will provide a brief update on recent water quality initiatives in Illinois.

"The time has come for us to trust that our water is free of potentially dangerous bacteria, chemicals and toxins," Garrett said. "Clean water is imperative to our health and it is my goal to insure our citizens can trust our water to be safe."

To register, call Garrett's district office at 847-433-2002 or e-mail at ilsenate29@sbcglobal.net.