841F03010
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What will I be Monitoring?
Four taste-parameters were chosen tor-testing on World
Water Monitoring-Day because of their simplicity .and
usefulness in-screening water for.potential problems.
"Temperature: Some aquatic-animals'(e.g. trout, salmon)
are sensitive to changes in water temperature and require
-a certain temperatureiange to'survive and thrive.
Temperature .affects1 the amount of .oxygen water .can'hold
(cold water holds'more oxygen than warm water). Warm
water discharged "from factories or heated by .city streets
can be a form .of .pollution to creatures-that are sensitive
to temperature.
What is World Water Monitoring Day?
On the first National Water Monitoring Day on October 18,
2002, 75,000 people participated in events held across the
U.S. to celebrate the 30th anniversary oi the Clean Water
Act. Recognizing that the need for clean water knows no
boundaries, this year we will be going global.
World Water Monitoring Day is an even! designed to
educate people of all ages, in all nations, about the value
of clean water and the role of water quality monitoring.
World Water Monitoring Day offers participants on
opportunity to use a simple test kit to take water guality
samples in their local streams, lakes, bays, or wetlands,
enter their data into an international database, and take
part in activities that educate us all about our role in
protecting clean water. As in 2002, organizations that are
already engaged in water quality monitoring are invited to
participate using their own equipment and methods. In
the U.S. alone, over 830 groups with several hundred
thousand volunteers regularly monitor water quality and
share their data with their local communities and states.
Why is monitoring important?
wS,
We need to m.e,n^or in order to answer basic questions
about our watqts. Can we safely swim in them? Can fish
and other aquat'i'c animals live in them? Can we safely
eat the fish we catch? Is the quality of our waters
improving?
Today we can't always answer these questions. The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working
to build partnerships with other federal agencies, states,
local governments, watershed groups, the private sector,
and the public to improve the comprehensiveness and
effectiveness of water monitoring programs,
Citizens can get involved by taking part in World Water
Monitoring Day, joining a volunteer monitoring or
watershed protection organization, and educating
themselves and others about water pollution and what
they can do to prevent it.
'Dissolved Oxygen (.DO): All aquatic animals need
oxygen. In water, it exists in dissolved'form, known asTJQ.
DO fluctuates naturally, depending-on time of day and
temperature. Many aquatic organisms are sensitive to
fluctuations of DO or low levels of'DO. Low levels of DO can
result from too many nutrients or organic wastes in water,
pH: pH tells uslhe acidity .or alkalinity of water. Many
aquatic organisms are adapted to a specific pH range and
can die if it varies. Pollution like acid rain or mine drainage
can "affect pH.
Turbidity: This is a measure.of how clear the water is.
Turbid water has suspended matter in it, like silt, .bits of
plants, or algae. If water is too turbid, it'can keep sunlight
from reaching aquatic plants. Too much suspended matter
in the water tan smother fish eggs and the streambed
where aquatic bugs live. .Erosion and 'runoff from farms and
construction sites can increase'turbidity.
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How do I participate?
You can order an easy-to-use water testing kit from the
main website at wWw.worldwatermonitoringday.org.
The,Jgt contains instructions on how to test for four key
parameters: dissolved oxygen, water temperature,. pH,
and water clarity. Select a site for monitoring and
monitor your site between September 18 and October
18, 2003. Be sure to follow all the safety instructions
included with the kit. Once you've monitored, enter
your data in the database. You may also want to check
around for fun activities in your area, like water
festivals, OF for other opportunities to get involved in
protecting your focal watershed.
Who is organizing this event?
Local monitoring and educational activities will be
organized by watershed organizations, schools,
government agencies, and individual citizens. Overall,
World Water Monitoring Day itself is being planned and
coordinated by America's Clean Water Foundation and
the International Water Association, in partnership with
a number of other organizations including the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency.
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How do I find out more?
Visit www.worldwatermonitoringdav.org for more >
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