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Department of Ecology News Release - Sept. 18, 2003
03-186
OLYMPIA - School groups, community groups and citizens throughout Washington are invited to join a worldwide effort to check the health of our lakes, streams and marine waters over the coming month.
People all over the world will be testing local waters to prepare for World Water Monitoring Day on Oct. 18.
Last year, more than 75,000 people tested water quality at 5,150 sites nationwide as part of the first National Water Monitoring Day. Washington ranked in the top five states, with 2,375 people participating in 420 different locations.
This year, Water Monitoring Day has been expanded worldwide. From now through Oct. 18, children and adults throughout the world will monitor the quality of local water bodies for dissolved oxygen, pH (acidity), temperature and turbidity (cloudiness), and enter the results of their efforts into an international database.
"As people learn more about how water quality is tested and measured, they begin to understand what it takes to improve the health of our waters," said Dick Wallace, who manages the Department of Ecology's water quality program.
"For many people, wading in a stream with a sampling kit is the first step in what becomes a lifetime commitment to keeping water clean and safe for people, fish and wildlife," Wallace said.
To learn more or register a local event, go online: http://www.worldwatermonitoringday.org.
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For more information:
http://www.worldwatermonitoringday.org
Media contact: Leslie Thorpe
leth461@ecy.wa.gov, (360) 407-6848
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
