Kentucky Institute For Watershed Management Support

Abstract

This paper will demonstrate the effectiveness of the university-housed watershed capacity development approach of the Kentucky Institute for Watershed Management Support (KIWMS). KIWMS engages students in developing and implementing model holistic processes for rehabilitation/regionalization and management for communities with aging on-site wastewater management systems. This approach exposes students to the broader aspects of watershed management beyond the mere technical components. KIWMS provides regional planning support to communities throughout the Commonwealth in order to maintain the natural and economic resources of their watersheds. The Center for Water Resource Studies (CWRS), which houses KIWMS, uses undergraduate students from Western Kentucky University (WKU) to conduct field work, develop surveys and analyze data under the direction of a Professional Engineer. The CWRS expertise in water and wastewater, combined with its mission as a utility and municipal technical assistance provider, empowers communities to realize the fundamental goal of holistic watershed management. KIWMS leverages synergy between local, state and other resource agencies at a watershed level by providing infrastructure and support for accountability and the technical basis to ensure measurable results.