Students invited to participate in new joint project

Students are invited to participate in a new research project with the city of Rock Island to create a program to replace lead water service lines in the community. 

The project will be conducted by Augustana's Upper Mississippi Center for Sustainable Communities and the Center for the Advancement of Community Health and Wellness. 

In 2021, Illinois enacted the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act. The act requires the inventorying of lead service lines (LSL), replacing of all LSLs within deadlines, and implementing financing strategies to fund such replacements. The act requires requires that the process be just and equitable by requiring the prioritization of low-income, vulnerable neighborhoods.

The most up-to-date Rock Island inventory shows that about 80% of the approximately 15,000 drinking water service lines are of unknown material and go to homes built before 1986, and thus potentially LSLs.

Student participants will:

• Be an integral part of a new project that tackles a real-world problem.

• Help the rural and urban communities solve the social, public health, economic, and environmental inequities and challenges they are facing.

• Have an opportunity to collaborate with community partners and stakeholders.

• Receive a stipend for participating.

Apply to participate

Complete this form by Sept. 16. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.