By Keith Robinson
The Purdue Water Community will lead a conference in Indianapolis on Dec. 12 aimed at helping the state better plan for water emergencies and contamination and to determine research needs.
The conference, organized by the Purdue University Discovery Park-based group, will be held at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis, One S. Capital Ave., from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Speakers will come from Purdue and Indiana universities as well as environmental and industry groups.
The meeting would be of interest to policymakers, such as state legislators, regulators and anyone who shares an interest in protecting the state's water resources. Early registrations already have shown a mix of people with varying roles and expertise in water issues, said Ron Turco, a Purdue professor of agronomy and a conference organizer.
"This conference comes out of an effort and need to plan ahead," Turco said. "We do have some contamination issues and some supply issues in Indiana. What we really lack is planning, so that's why we want to get organized."
The day's events will consist of sessions with experts talking on subjects related to the conference title of "Defining Indiana's Water Needs: Research and Solutions."
Included will be a session in which attendees will discuss needed research into Indiana's water.
"We want to know what this mixed community thinks are the real problems in terms of need for research," Turco said. "We want to come away with a list of what the research questions are."
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Registration is available through The Purdue Water Community's website at http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/water/. Click on the conference title in the events section and then "Register Here." Lunch will be provided free to the first 100 registrants.
The Purdue Water Community coordinates water-related research, teaching and engagement to improve and sustain human and ecosystem health. Established in 2011, it is a member of Purdue's Global Sustainabiliwaterty Institute.
Source:purdue.edu