WEST LAFAYETTE — A Purdue University researcher is heading a $5 million federally funded project examining the economic and environmental benefits and costs of storing water on farms in ways for crops to use it when they need it and to reduce nutrients draining into waterways.

Jane Frankenberger, professor of agricultural and biological engineering, is directing the five-year research addressing the issues of farm nutrients draining from fields and causing problems downstream, and the need for water in the late summer to irrigate sometimes parched crops.

“Both of these problems are expected to get more pressing with climate change,” Frankenberger said. “This research will collect data now that will help farmers make better decisions in the future.”