Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in El Paso Receives State's Top Environmental Award

Scientists at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station (TAES) El Paso Research Center have earned the state’s highest environmental achievement - the Texas Environmental Excellence Award, presented by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Recognized in the agriculture category, the TAES earned the award for its achievements in water quality improvement for bacterial source tracking research performed by Dr. George Di Giovanni and his research team. TAES El Paso scientists provided the expertise and analytical services for two state agencies in two large-scale pollution source tracking projects. This research identified whether agricultural activities, wildlife, or humans were responsible for particular bacteria found in specific watersheds. Using state-of-the-art DNA fingerprinting and antibiotic resistance typing methods for E. coli they identified specific animal and human sources of fecal pollution in the watersheds of Lake Waco and Belton Lake (facilitated by the Texas Water Resources Institute), the Upper and Lower San Antonio River, Salado Creek, Leon River, and Peach Creek. In addition, the research team created a genetic library of E. coli bacteria isolated from known sources. Use of the library will save millions of dollars on future fecal pollution source tracking projects. By pinpointing the sources of pollution, resource managers can develop effective pollution control strategies to ensure water is drinkable and safe for all users.

Additional information is available at http://elpaso.tamu.edu/Research/award.htm

including:

- Feature video on bacterial source tracking produced by TCEQ (1 min 50 sec)

- Information on TAES bacterial source tracking research

- The Texas Environmental Excellence Award signed by Governor Rick Perry

- Texas Environmental Excellence Award TCEQ press release

- Texas Senate Resolution recognizing TEEA recipient contributions

- BST Research Partners and Collaborators