COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) – The state has awarded the University of Missouri-Columbia nearly $254,000 to study pollution prevention in a creek that runs through part of the city.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources says the study will focus on the effectiveness of practices for preventing pollution of Hinkson Creek.

The DNR says the university is also providing about $170,000 for the project, which is expected to be finished by early 2014.

Hinkson Creek has been in violation of federal clean water standards, and has been the subject of ongoing cleanup efforts.

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