University of New England

Environmental communications class presents findings on water quality to Kennebunkport residents

BIDDEFORD - Christine Feurt, Ph.D., adjunct professor in the Department of Environmental Studies, and her Environmental Communications class gave a presentation on the impact of septic systems on Maine’s water quality at a “Septic Social” held at the North Station Fire House in Kennebunkport on April 5, 2007.  Hosted in order to educate the public about septic systems, Feurt, the students and guest speakers spoke about how septic systems work and how to care for them properly. A round-table discussion was held after the presentations.

Many homes on or around the waterfront in Maine use septic systems, which, if not cared for correctly, can contaminate the local beaches and water. The students set out to learn about these systems and how to keep Maine’s beaches clean.

For their project, the students spent the spring semester learning about septic systems, conducting surveys to assess the public’s current knowledge of these systems, holding interviews with public citizens and town selectmen about water quality issues and speaking with local professionals in the public health and waste management industries.

The “Septic Social” was sponsored by the Kennebunkport Conservation Commission and Public Health Department, UNE and the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve.

(Press release posted April 10, 2007)