Feds award grant for Sparta Aquifer education

July 2008

U.S. Water News Online

RUSTON, La. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded more than $100,000 in grant funding to the Center for Rural Development in Ruston.

The center is housed at Louisiana Tech University.

The grant, totaling $104,637, will be used to raise public awareness about conservation issues as it relates to depletion of the Sparta Aquifer.

The Sparta is the primary source of potable water in Lincoln Parish and surrounding areas.

Gary Kennedy, head of the department of agricultural sciences, said Western states with similar issues had canvassed their cities and towns with public service announcements to encourage conservation. Kennedy said it occurred to him that north central Louisiana might benefit from that approach.

Sixteen parishes in north Louisiana depend entirely or partially on the Sparta aquifer for their drinking water. Areas of high use include West Monroe, Jonesboro-Hodge and Ruston-Grambling.