PORT BYRON, Ill. — Augustana College is helping Port Byron with its infrastructure, and it's a chance for one student to help out her hometown.
On Thursday, June 13, students went door-to-door to get information on the type of water pipes going into people's homes. Hannah McKoon grew up in Port Byron and was one of 17 students talking with neighbors.
"Environmental science, environment studies, it's a very unique way to provide back to the community that provided a lot for me," McKoon said.
Students are helping Port Byron with the Illinois Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act. Passed in 2022, the act requires cities to take an inventory of lead service lines and eventually replace them.
Adriana Reyes was on the student team that helped Rock Island in 2023 with their survey. She said the project is a chance for students to get hands-on experience.
"Most of my work will be cleaning and organizing the survey data," Reyes said. "It's a big impact and it's a lot to do. I think my work will really put a start to this project."
Students said that the project is helpful for them as a learning experience but also benefitted the towns as a community-driven approach to gather the data.
Project manager Peyton Heisch said having a team of students helps since some neighbors may be more social to them when compared to city employees or a survey team from a private company.
"That's what we try to do, is really make it a holistic plan and really connect with the community, so that they learn more about why this matters," Heisch said.
The student team is working to have a plan for Port Byron by late July so the village can submit it to the Illinois EPA before its Sept. 1 deadline.
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