Clean Water Main Water Sentinels Main Arizona Illinois Kentucky -- Northern Kentucky -- Western Michigan Missouri Ohio Tennessee Contacts Environmental news, green living tips, and ways to take action: Subscribe to the Sierra Club Insider! About the organizer Dr. Cindy Skrukrud Illinois Chapter 200 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 505 Chicago, IL 60601-5908 (312) 251-1680 fax (312) 251-1780 cskrukrud@earthlink.net

Illinois Results Show Streams Should be on 'Impaired' List Water Sentinels volunteers' data on both the Illinois and Fox rivers have identified levels of phosphorus in the rivers that regularly exceed the amount considered healthy by the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency. On the Illinois River near Peoria, Heart of the Prairie Group volunteers found that on several occasions oxygen levels were below the standard set by the Illinois EPA for healthy aquatic life. The Illinois Chapter is using its data to call on the Illinois EPA to place this segment of the Illinois River onto the state's list of impaired waters in need of a cleanup plan. Read more... Other accomplishments include: The Valley of the Fox Group is using the data it collected on phosphorus pollution to support Fox River Study Group efforts to model the Fox watershed. Their aim is to identify solutions to current water quality problems and to plan for future growth that will protect water quality in this rapidly urbanizing watershed. Read more... During the summer of 2002, Sentinels volunteers with the Chicago Group examined water samples weekly at four Lake Michigan beaches and found that the Illinois standard for fecal coliform bacteria was exceeded in 69 percent of the samples. They have called on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago to disinfect the combined stormwater and wastewater that it dumps into Lake Michigan during heavy rains. They also called for proactive beach closures when the water is likely to be unsafe for swimmers but District water tests are still being processed. Read more... Photo: Jack Biesterfeld and Rhoda Symons check the ammonia levels in water samples from Crystal Creek, which runs through the communities of Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills and Algonquin in McHenry County, Illinois. Photo by Cindy Skrukrud. Photo of Cindy Skrukrud by Tom von Geldern. Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club