WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — More of the fertilizers and pesticides used to grow corn would find their way into nearby water sources if ethanol demands lead to planting more acres in corn, according to a Purdue University study.

U.S. Department of Agriculture data has shown that corn acreage has increased with the demand for ethanol, with 93 million acres in 2007, an increase of 12.1 million acres that year.

The study of Indiana water sources found that those near fields that practice continuous-corn rotations had higher levels of nitrogen, fungicides and phosphorous than corn-soybean rotations. Results of the study by Indrajeet Chaubey, an associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering, and Bernard Engel, a professor and head of agricultural and biological engineering, were published in the early online version of The Journal of Environmental Engineering.

“When you move from corn-soybean rotations to continuous corn, the sediment losses will be much greater,” Chaubey said. “Increased sediment losses allow more fungicide and phosphorous to get into the water because they move with sediment.”

Nitrogen and fungicides are more heavily used in corn crops than soybeans, increasing the amounts found in the soil of continuous-corn fields. Sediment losses become more prevalent because tilling is often required in continuous-corn fields, whereas corn-soybean rotations can more easily be no-till fields, Engel said.

“The common practice is there is a lot of tillage to put corn back on top of corn,” Engel said. “Any time we see changes in the landscape, there is a potential to see changes in water quality.”

Chaubey said there was no significant change in the amount of atrazine detected in water near fields that changed to continuous-corn rotations. The commonly used pesticide sticks to plant material and degrades in sunlight, keeping it from reaching water through runoff or sediment.

U.S. Department of Agriculture data has shown that corn acreage has increased with the demand for ethanol, with 93 million acres in 2007, an increase of 12.1 million acres that year.

“As we look forward here, if corn stover is going to be a preferred bio-feedstock, we would see more corn acreage being planted,” Engel said. “We need to know how that will affect water quality.”

The USDA and Purdue funded the study. Chaubey and Engel are expanding their research to Iowa, Tennessee and Arkansas. That three-year study will include impacts of various biofeedstock, such as switch grass, and developing management practices to reduce sediment, nutrient and pesticide losses.

GREENWOOD, Ind. — Because minor water leaks account for more than one trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes, EPA’s WaterSense program has declared March 16 to 20, 2009 the program’s first “Fix a Leak Week” to remind Americans to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks.

“Leaks can account for 11,000 gallons of water wasted in the home every year, or enough to fill a backyard swimming pool,” said Indiana American Water President David Baker. “Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners more than 10 percent on their water bills. By partnering with the WaterSense program to raise awareness, we can help our customers save money and preserve the environment and meet future water needs.”

Leaks can account for 11,000 gallons of water wasted in the home every year, or enough to fill a backyard swimming pool, according to Indiana American Water President David Baker.

To help consumers across the country save water, the WaterSense program promotes ways to identify and repair dripping faucets, running toilets, and leaky showerheads. In most cases, fixture replacement parts can be installed by do-it-yourselfers and pay for themselves in no time.

Following are a few water-saving tips:

• Reduce faucet leaks by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and, if necessary, replace the faucet with a WaterSense labeled model.
• Leaky toilets are most often the result of a worn toilet flapper. Replacing the rubber flapper is a quick fix that could save a home up to 200 gallons of water per day.
• For a leaky garden hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.
• Landscape irrigation systems should be checked each spring before use to make sure they are not damaged by frost or freezing.

If homeowners have to replace a plumbing fixture, EPA reminds them to look for the WaterSense label. WaterSense labeled toilets and faucets have been independently tested and certified to save water and perform as well as or better than standard models. WaterSense also partners with certified landscape irrigation auditors, designers, installers, and maintenance professionals with water-efficiency knowledge; see www.epa.gov/watersense to find a WaterSense irrigation partner in your area. For more information on Fix a Leak Week, visit www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak.

WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to protect the future of our nation’s water supply by promoting and enhancing the market for water-efficient products and services. WaterSense labeled products must achieve independent, third-party testing and certification to prove they meet EPA’s criteria for efficiency and performance.

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — For the second year, residents can safely dispose of their expired or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications through “Operation Medicine Cabinet.” Event sponsor Home Instead Senior Care in Lafayette is partnering with the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office, Rosewalk Commons, and the West Lafayette Go Greener Commission for the one-day event that allows the public to safely dispose of expired or unwanted drugs.

“Operation Medicine Cabinet is a valuable community service that educates the public on how proper disposal not only protects loved ones from accidental ingestion but also helps protect the environment,” said Chris Irons, owner of the Lafayette Home Instead Senior Care.

Many residents flush their medications down the toilet or down a drain, he said. “But Indiana’s wastewater treatment system is not designed to remove these types of contaminants from the water supply.”

“In addition, pets and children can access medications that are carelessly thrown away in the trash,” said Irons. “Proper disposal also prevents illegal use of the drugs or theft of identity from prescription labels.”

Operation Medicine Cabinet will be held in two locations on Saturday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rosewalk Commons senior community, 250 Shenandoah Drive, in Lafayette, and in the Cumberland Park farmers’ market parking lot in West Lafayette. Collection will be supervised by the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Department and properly incinerated by the animal crematory at Hippensteel Funeral Home.

For more information, contact Jeanise Delano at (765) 447-8800.