ULM to conduct clean water research

The University of Louisiana Monroe and the Ouachita Parish Police Jury are entering into a memorandum of understanding to conduct clean water research.

This partnership and future research comes at a pivotal time, as much of Louisiana’s bodies of water are affected by pollution. In some areas water may be unsafe for humans to drink or bathe in, and fish may be unsafe for human consumption.

The purification of water can be expensive, but a less costly way to filter pollutants from water entering lakes, rivers and bayous exists through the use of wetlands.

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A natural wetland exists at the former Calhoun research station where ULM and OPPJ have agreed to conduct research. Water passing through the wetland drains into Cheniere Lake. The current wetland will be used as well as constructed artificial wetlands using native plants on site. The goal of the research is to find effective and low-cost water purification systems that can be used in both farming and semi-urban communities.

An added benefit to the community is the inclusion of K-12 students and teachers from the region, and especially those from Calhoun Elementary and Middle Schools. They will be involved in the research and use the site for educational purposes.

“ULM has identified three desired outcomes from this research project,” said Dr. Eric Pani, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “First, that a sustainable supply of clean water will be available to the region. Second, that students from area schools will pursue higher education degrees in the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics, meeting workforce needs in the region and filling high-income jobs. And third, the creation of new small businesses that commercialize discoveries made from the research site.”

Committed partners for this project include the LSU AgCenter, Southern University AgCenter, Hanbat National University in Korea, and Ouachita Parish Schools.

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ULM is still seeking more partners for the project.

Those interested in participating should contact Dr. Joydeep Bhattacharjee in the Biology Department or Dr. Kevin Baer in the Toxicology Department.