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JCCC Post Drain Water Quality Study
Summary
Rain that washes off roads and parking lots can carry harmful stuff like lead, pesticides, and microplastics into the water that eventually becomes our drinking water. This study tests whether a specially designed drainage basin at Johnson County Community College—built with layered soils and plants—actually works to filter out these contaminants before they reach our water supply. Since substances like lead and nitrite can be especially dangerous for babies and other vulnerable people, knowing whether this kind of natural filter works could help communities protect drinking water more effectively.
Clean drinking water is a necessity for all humans and one of the Sustainable Development Goals put forth by the United Nations. However, in areas near Johnson County Community College, agricultural and vehicular runoff can disrupt the bodies of water that flow into aquifers that eventually become our drinking water. This water collects various substances such as road salts, pesticides and fertilizers, microplastics, hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. The stormwater basin on campus acts as a filter for the parking lot rainwater runoff. This basin contains layers of engineered soils and native plants that serve to remove a variety of contaminants from the water. Substances such as lead, manganese, and nitrite can be toxic to humans—particularly vulnerable populations such as infants—making frequent monitoring and maintaining low concentrations critical for safe drinking water and overall public health. Water samples will be analyzed using methods including pH measurement, titration, and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy to determine the concentration of residual contaminants after filtration through the stormwater basin. The results will identify areas where the basin’s filtration system is performing effectively as well as areas where improvements may be necessary.