The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) is engaged in a study of the Wabash River to determine the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous the Wabash contributes to the Ohio River.

The Wabash River is 491 miles long and flows southwest, forming the southern Indiana-Illinois border before draining into the main stem of the Ohio River.

The Wabash has been identified as one of the largest contributors of nitrogen to the hypoxic zone in the northern Gulf of Mexico.  In addition, data has shown that the area where the Wabash enters the Ohio River (at the upstream end of the Smithland Pool) has lower dissolved oxygen levels and is designated as “impaired” in ORSANCO’s 2008 Assessment of Water Quality Conditions. 

Egyptian Health Department says it still plans to hold recycling events in White and Gallatin Counties next year.  The organization held its first Electronics Recycling Day in Harrisburg in late October and deemed it a success after two semi-trailers were filled.

A landfill ban on 17 electronic items was introduced by the Illinois State Legislature earlier this year.  The banned electronic items included TV’s, computers, laptops, monitors, printers and many other items common in nearly every home. With limited options for disposal of these items by homeowners, some were being dumped in ditches and illegal landfills.       

Despite recent rains, drought conditions continue for the tri-state.

Burn bans continue for White and Wabash Counties until further notice.  The burn ban for Lawrence County, however, has been lifted.

There is more rain in the forecast for Thursday and Friday of this week, although it is not expected to be a widespread event that will significantly change drought conditions.