Press Releases
Year
Groundwater is a Vital Resource
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2015
Contact
Michael Flanagan Environmental Health Specialist II
(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 8-14, 2015. 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 II 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.
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Provides Naloxone Overdose Training
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2015
Contact
Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Provides Naloxone Overdose Training
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has been providing training and Naloxone (also known as Narcan) since 2008. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, deaths from drug overdose have been rising steadily over the past two decades and have become the leading cause of injury death in the United States.
The CUPHD prevention staff train friends and family members of opiate users on the use of Naloxone and how to administer the medicine to stop an overdose. Participants will watch a short film and complete a questionnaire that reviews the steps covered in the film. There have been 47 reported opiate reversals (lives saved) since CUPHD began the program. The program is free and open to anyone 18 years and older who are at risk for opiate overdose. CUPHD works in conjunction with the Chicago Recovery Alliance (CRA).
“CUPHD provides this training in response to both an increase in opiate use and the lack of substance abuse treatment. We feel that persons should not die of their addiction when effective prevention is available,” said Julie Pryde, Administrator.
CUPHD staff will be available to answer questions after tonight’s community meeting in Danville. The meeting will be held at the Palmer Arena and begins at 6:00 PM.
For more information about overdose, visit http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/overdose/facts.html. To schedule training, contact Alice Cronenberg at (217) 531-5366
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Free Dental Exams and Cleanings for Children on Saturday, March 14 at the Fluid Events Center in Champaign
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2017
Contact
Alicia Ekhoff, Dental Program Coordinator
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Free Dental Exams and Cleanings for Children on Saturday, March 14 at the Fluid Events Center in Champaign
The Illini District Dental Society, Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, Parkland College Dental Hygiene and SmileHealthy Participate in “Give Kids a Smile”
Champaign, IL – The Illini District Dental Society will sponsor Give Kids a Smile®
(GKAS) Day on Saturday, March 14, 2015 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Fluid Events
Center located at 601 N. Country Fair Drive in Champaign. The event is part of the Children’s Dental Access Program through the American Dental Association® (ADA) that provides free oral healthcare services to children of low-income families.
On March 14, local 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 1 and 17. The oral health fair will offer a wide range of services and activities for everyone including: dental hygiene education; free toothbrushes; face painting; and visits and pictures with Flossie from the Illinois State Dental Society, the Tooth Fairy, the Delta Dental Tooth Wizard and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Bear. The Twin City Derby Girls will also be on hand to talk about their sport and the importance of wearing 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.
Will Sensenbrenner, DMD, local General Dentist and Secretary for the Illini District Dental Society, states "Give Kids a Smile is a way for dentists to join with others in the community to provide dental services to underserved children. Each year, we create a fun atmosphere for children and parents to gain a better understanding oral health. The need for affordable
dental care continues to grow. Maintaining good oral health and healthy eating habits are very important parts of a child’s overall development. This program will help families assess oral health needs and give them the tools to maintain a healthy smile and life."
The Illini District Dental Society partners with Parkland Dental Hygiene, SmileHealthy, and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Children’s Dental Clinic to provide Give Kids a Smile® in Champaign.
For more information, please contact SmileHealthy at (217) 359-7404 or the ChampaignUrbana Public Health District Children’s Dental Clinic at (217) 531-4538 or at www.cuphd.org.
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