The study design for ground water focuses on the assessment of water-quality conditions of major aquifers in each study unit with emphasis on the quality of recently recharged ground water associated with present and recent human activities. The initial emphasis is on the chemical characteristics of ground water. Major ground-water quality issues in the Lower Illinois River Basin include nutrients and agricultural chemicals, and trace elements. The Illinois River is a primary channel for the transport and disposal of much of the State's human, animal, industrial, and agricultural wastes.
Alluvial aquifers underlying the Illinois River supply large amounts of drinking water.
Contaminants in the river can move into the alluvium and into the water-supply wells. Also, the major bedrock valley aquifers are hydraulically connected to the Illinois River alluvium. Withdrawals from these buried aquifers can potentially draw in contaminated river water. Personnel to contact about a specific subject are listed on the staff page.