Press Releases
Year
Groundwater is a Vital Resource
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2012
Contact
Michael Flanagan, Environmental Health Specialist I
(217) 531-2908
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Groundwater is a Vital Resource
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Promotes National Groundwater Awareness Week
CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) promotes National Groundwater Awareness Week, March 11-17, 2012. According to the National Ground Water Association®, groundwater is essential to the health and well-being of humanity and the environment. Groundwater is the water that soaks into the soil from rain or other precipitation and moves downward to fill cracks and other openings in beds of rocks and sand. This week’s purpose is to educate the public about the importance of groundwater and water well stewardship.
More than 90 percent of all public drinking water systems rely on groundwater to supply the population with drinking water and millions of Americans rely on groundwater from aquifers to supply their private wells, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
CUPHD encourages residents of Champaign County with private wells to test their water annually for contaminants. Private water wells should be tested every year for evidence of coliform bacteria and nitrates, and should be tested more frequently if there are recurrent incidents of gastrointestinal illness or there are changes in taste, odor or appearance.
“Private well water safety is often overlooked by the general public,” said Michael Flanagan, Environmental Health Specialist I at CUPHD. “The water from a homeowner’s private well is not checked by any agency. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure that their drinking water is free of contaminants.”
Private well water test kits are available for $20 each (within Champaign-Urbana city limits) or $49 each (elsewhere in Champaign County) at the Environmental Health Division of CUPHD located at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign from 8:00 AM – Noon and 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM; Monday through Friday. The kit fee includes sample bottles, instructions and lab testing for coliform bacteria and nitrates. Testing for coliform bacteria will reveal whether your water supply may be contaminated with infectious organisms. Nitrates found in ground water may be produced by agricultural fertilizers, livestock wastes or septic systems.
To ensure a safe water supply, residents are also encouraged to use the following simple guidelines:
- Keep hazardous chemicals, such as paint, fertilizer, pesticides and motor oil far away from the well.
- Maintain a proper separation (at least 50 feet) between the well and private septic systems, kennels, livestock operations and chemical storage areas.
- Seal abandoned water wells.
- Periodically check the well cover or well cap on top of the casing to ensure it is in good repair and securely attached. This seal should keep out insects and rodents. There should be no openings into the cap, except for a factory-installed vent.
- Keep your well records in a safe place. These include construction reports, annual water well system maintenance and water testing results.
For more information on private water wells, please contact CUPHD at (217) 373-7900 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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Overwhelming Response Demands Additional Smoking Cessation Classes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2012
Contact
Nikki Hillier, Prog. Coordinator(217) 531-2914
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Overwhelming Response Demands Additional Smoking Cessation Classes
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Continues to Provide Tools to Help Champaign County Residents Reach Goals in 2012
CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) typically offers one Freedom From Smoking® class per year. There was such an overwhelming response this year, additional classes had to be planned. “We had so much interest at the beginning of the year that we went ahead and opened a second class. That class filled up and now, our waiting list is so long, we can open up another class; however, spots are still available,” said Nikki Hillier, Program Coordinator at CUPHD. The next class will start on March 27, 2012. For the first time in many years, a mid-year class is being offered.
“Being able to share with and support people who were going through the same thing I was really made the class work for me,” said Carletta Donaldson, a recent Freedom From Smoking® graduate.
“It’s a great deal, and a great opportunity. Planning ahead and getting support from others out of class was really helpful,” said Kenneth Coulter, another recent Freedom From Smoking® graduate.
For anyone who is interested in quitting smoking, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District can provide even more assistance this year. CUPHD is extending opportunities to make quitting even more successful. This year’s program allows for double the amount of nicotine patches that participants have previously received. The program used to include a four-week supply of nicotine patches for participants, only half of what most people need to help them successfully quit. After that, participants were expected to purchase the remaining needed patches on their own; but now, the program provides the full eight weeks of patches.
“Quitting smoking can be very difficult, and we want to support individuals in making these difficult behavioral changes so they can be successful,” said Nikki Hillier.
The eight-session program helps participants because they work together with other quitters to develop and execute their own individualized “Quit Plan”. The program is available to anyone 18 years of age and older who lives in Champaign County. The cost is $20.00 but anyone who completes six of the eight sessions will receive a $10.00 refund.
Freedom From Smoking® classes are offered at CUPHD, 201 W. Kenyon Road in Champaign, on Tuesdays at 5:00 PM. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. Contact Nikki Hillier with questions or to register at
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Free Dental Exams and Cleanings for Children on February 4th
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2012
Contact
Alicia Ekhoff, Dental Program Coordinator
(217) 531-4538
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Free Dental Exams and Cleanings for Children on February 4th
The Illini District Dental Society, Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and SmileHealthy Participate in Give Kids a Smile®
Champaign, IL – The Illini District Dental Society, in conjunction with the ChampaignUrbana Public Health District (CUPHD) and SmileHealthy, will be participating in Give Kids a Smile® (GKAS) Day on Saturday, February 4, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana. The event is part of the Children’s Dental Access Program through the American Dental Association® (ADA) that provides free oral health care services to children of low-income families.
On February 4th, local, private dentists and hygienists are taking the opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering time and services for GKAS and providing free dental exams, cleanings and fluoride varnish treatments to any child between the ages of one and 17. Custom athletic mouth guards can also be made for just $10.00 each from Noon – 2:00 PM. The oral health fair will offer a wide range of services and activities for everyone including: dental hygiene education; free toothbrushes; face painting; coloring contests with prizes; nutrition bingo; and appearances from Noon – 2:00 PM by Flossie from the Illinois State Dental Society, the Tooth Fairy, Delta Dental Tooth Wizard and the Twin City Derby Girls to talk about the importance of mouth guards. Appointments are not necessary; however, a parent or legal guardian must accompany the child. There are no income or residency requirements to receive services at the fair.
According to Victor Escobar, DDS, PhD, local oral and maxillofacial surgeon and Secretary for the Illini District Dental Society, “The goal of the health fair is to improve the community’s knowledge of dental health. We want to help people achieve a healthy, beautiful smile for a lifetime.”
According to Alicia Ekhoff, Program Coordinator for the CUPHD Dental Clinic, “The need for dental care continues to grow. Basic dental care is such an important part of a child’s overall health care. All children deserve the opportunity to receive regular, preventative dental care and restorative dental care when needed. No child should have to suffer with tooth pain.” This year’s event is prepared to serve 300 children with exams and cleanings.
Any child who is a resident of Champaign or Urbana with All Kids or Medicaid as primary or secondary insurance is eligible for general dental services through CUPHD’s Dental Division at 201 West Kenyon Road located in Champaign. Appointments are available Monday thru Friday; 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM by calling (217) 531-4279.
SmileHealthy is a local non-profit that provides dental care for underserved Champaign County children outside of Champaign-Urbana through the Child Dental Access Program and Head Start Dental Clinic. The SmileHealthy Mobile Dental Clinics provide dental care to children and adults in the County at any site with 20 or more patients with completed consent forms. Additional information on dental services in Champaign County can be obtained by calling (217) 359-7404.
For more information about the Give Kids a Smile® Oral Health Fair, please contact SmileHealthy at (217) 359-7404 or on the web at www.smilehealthy.org. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the CUPHD Dental Clinic at (217) 531-4279 or on the web at www.c-uphd.org. To complete registration forms prior to the event, visit CUPHD’s website or www.christieclinic.com.
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