(a) The Department, with the advice of the Committee and the Council, shall develop a coordinated groundwater data collection and automation program. The collected and automated data shall include but need not be limited to groundwater monitoring results, well logs, pollution source permits and water quality assessments. The Department shall act as the repository for such data and shall automate this data in a manner that is accessible and usable by all State agencies.(b) The Department, in consultation with the Agency, the Committee and the Council, shall develop and administer an ongoing program of basic and applied research relating to groundwater. Information generated from this program will be made available to local governments seeking technical assistance from the Department. The research program shall include but need not be limited to: (1) Long-term statewide groundwater quality monitoring. A statewide monitoring well network shall be composed of public water supply wells sampled by the Agency, non-community wells sampled by the Department of Public Health, and a representative sampling of other existing private wells and newly constructed, dedicated monitoring wells. The monitoring program shall be operated for the following purposes: to evaluate, over time, the appropriateness and effectiveness of groundwater quality protection measures; to determine regional trends in groundwater quality which may affect public health and welfare; and to help identify the need for corrective action. The Department shall periodically publish the results of groundwater quality monitoring activities.(2) Statewide groundwater assessment. The Department shall conduct assessments to enhance the State's data base concerning groundwater resources. The assessments shall include location of groundwater resources, mapping of aquifers, identification of appropriate recharge areas, and evaluation of baseline groundwater quality. The Department shall complete the statewide mapping of appropriate recharge areas within 18 months after the enactment of this Act at a level of detail suitable for guiding the Agency in establishing priority groundwater protection planning regions.(3) Evaluation of pesticide impacts upon groundwater. Such evaluation shall include the general location and extent of any contamination of groundwaters resulting from pesticide use, determination of any practices which may contribute to contamination of groundwaters, and recommendations regarding measures which may help prevent degradation of groundwater quality by pesticides. Priority shall be given to those areas of the State where pesticides are utilized most intensively. The Department shall prepare an initial report by January 1, 1990.(4) Other basic and applied research. The Department may conduct research in at least the following areas: groundwater hydrology and hydraulics, movement of contaminants through geologic materials, aquifer restoration, and remediation technologies.(c) The Department is authorized to accept and expend, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly, any and all grants, matching funds, appropriations from whatever source, or other items of value from the federal or state governments or from any institution, person, partnership, joint venture, or corporation, public or private, for the purposes of fulfilling its obligations under this Act.(d) Southern Illinois University is authorized to conduct basic and applied research relating to chemical contamination of groundwater. It may assist the Department in conducting research on any of the subjects included in subsection (b) of this Section, and may accept and expend grants and other support from the Department or other sources for that purpose.