”What’s in Your Water? Cows, People, and Groundwater Quality” will be the focus of a discussion tonight (Wednesday, Dec. 4) from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the L. E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire.
Dr. Mark Borchardt, a federal research microbiologist, will present recent research on livestock and human sources of fecal contamination in private wells. A question and answer period will follow his talk, which is scheduled for the Eau Claire Room on the library’s lower level.
The library and the Chippewa Valley chapter of the Sierra Club will host the program.
Borchardt is an expert on the measurement, fate, transport and health effects of human and agricultural zoonotic pathogens in the environment. Zoonoses are infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites that spread between animals and humans.
Borchardt is employed by the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He is the program leader for the U.S. Geological Survey’s Laboratory for Infectious Disease and the Environment at the Upper Midwest Water Science Center.
He recently received the Dr. John L. Leal award from the American Water Works Association for his work on improving water quality and protecting public health in the United States.
The Chippewa Valley Sierra Club offers s wide range of local programs and outings that are open to the public.
More information about the Dec. 4 program is available at the Information & Reference Desk at the library, by calling 715-839-5004 or email to librarian@eauclaire.lib.wi.us.
Note: the home page image was provided by the U.S. Geological Survey.