*EPF510 09/03/2004
U.S., International Partners Kick Off World Water Monitoring Day
(Effort seeks to involve public in monitoring, restoring water resources) (840)

By Cheryl Pellerin
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- To ensure global citizens have clean water for a range of uses, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), America's Clean Water Foundation (ACWF) and international partners are inviting people of all ages worldwide to monitor the water quality of their rivers, lakes, streams, wetlands and coastal waters, EPA and ACWF officials announced at a September 3 press conference.

"About 71 percent of the Earth's surface is water, and 99.9 percent of the Earth's future is water," said Ben Grumbles, acting assistant administrator for the EPA Office of Water. "It's important for federal agencies, state agencies and citizens to monitor the quality of water in their communities and watersheds, just like a doctor uses a thermometer or stethoscope to measure the health of a patient."

The effort showcases the second annual World Water Monitoring Day on October 18, a worldwide grass-roots movement to get communities involved in monitoring, conserving and restoring water resources.

"In 2002 we brought to the nation the concept of a national water monitoring day," said Roberta Savage, president and chief executive officer of America's Clean Water Foundation. "Organizations all over the country were individually monitoring their watersheds, but we wanted to bring that information together for a national snapshot. Countries around the world heard about the effort and asked to be involved."

Twenty-four countries participated in the first World Water Monitoring Day in 2003, which ACWF sponsored in partnership with the London-based International Water Association, a global network of water professionals. GLOBE UK, an international environmental education project, is also a partner. This year, Savage said, at least 27 countries will participate. (Countries are listed below.)

Instructions for participating in World Water Monitoring Day are available on the Internet at http://www.worldwatermonitoringday.org. Participants must go online and register the lake, stream, bay or other water body they plan to monitor. Then participants can use their own equipment or buy a water monitoring kit at the same Web site. The kits are $13 plus a shipping charge that varies from country to country.

Between September 18 and December 18, participants monitor the water site, record the data and submit the results online at the World Water Monitoring Day Web site. At the end of the monitoring period, EPA and the ACWF will produce a report that should give a snapshot of world water quality.

The test kit is designed to be very easy to use. Each contains an instruction book with a place to record water quality data, a plastic container for water samples, two plastic test tubes, a chart for determining water quality ranges, several tablets to dissolve in the water to perform chemical tests, a pencil and a material safety data sheet with information about the kit's contents.

The kit measures four main aspects of water quality -- temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH (acidity) and turbidity (clarity). Temperature affects the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, the rate of photosynthesis by aquatic plants, and the sensitivity of organisms to toxic wastes, parasites and disease.

Dissolved oxygen is important because all aquatic animals need oxygen to survive. Natural waters with consistently high dissolved oxygen levels are healthy and stable environments and can support a range of aquatic life.

Water's pH, meaning potential hydrogen, is a measure of how acidic or basic the water is. The pH scale ranges from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very basic); 7 is neutral. The pH of natural water is usually between 6.5 and 8.2. Most aquatic organisms are adapted to a specific pH level and could die if the water pH changes even slightly. Industrial waste, agricultural runoff and drainage from mining operations all can affect pH.

Turbidity is the measure of how clear the water is. Water can be turbid or cloudy when material like clay, silt, organic and inorganic matter, and microscopic organisms are suspended in the water. Turbidity should not be confused with color; darkly colored water can still be clear. Turbid water can come from soil erosion, urban runoff, algae blooms and disturbances of the bottom sediment by boat traffic or lots of bottom-feeding fish.

"Monitoring the quality of the water helps us as a country and as a world make important decisions and investments in how we protect water resources," said EPA's Grumbles. "There are many challenges e out there and the focus [for World Water Monitoring Day] is on citizen-centered, results-oriented approaches."

Information about participating in the event and receiving kits are available at: http://www.worldwatermonitoringday.org

For information about ordering water monitoring kits in bulk quantities and for international destinations, contact Water Foundation Coordinator Ed Moyer at [email protected]

Participating countries: Afghanistan, Armenia, Bahrain, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cameroon, Czech Republic, Egypt, Germany, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, United States, U.S. minor outlying islands, Zambia

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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