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EPA New England Hails Efforts of Annual World Water Monitoring Day

Release Date: 10/16/2003
Contact Information: David Deegan, EPA Press Office, 617-918-1017

As part of the national celebration of World Water Monitoring Day, EPA New England's regional administrator, Robert W. Varney, acknowledged efforts underway throughout New England states by private citizens and community organizations to monitor water quality in local communities. World Water Monitoring Day, which officially takes place on Oct 18, is an initiative cosponsored by EPA along with America's Clean Water Foundation and the International Water Association to urge people around the world to test the quality of their streams, lakes, wetlands, and coastal waters.

"This program is a good example of how EPA helps local communities become more involved in the world around them and caring for their environment," said Varney. "Monitoring the quality of water in and around our communities helps ensure that all citizens have clean water for domestic, agricultural, commercial and recreational uses."

On Thurs., Oct. 16 Varney illustrated the contributions that all citizens can have monitoring water quality. In Westford, Mass., local school children enrolled at the Norman E. Day School are engaged in an ongoing program to monitor water quality at the Reed Brook. The brook, located near the school, is a tributary of Stony Brook, which in turn feeds into the Merrimack River, finally emptying into the Atlantic Ocean.

During World Water Monitoring Day, volunteers of all ages will perform four key tests to measure dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity/clarity and temperature. They can then enter their findings on an internet web page which in turn will provide a useful resource to many different individuals and institutions interested in clean water. In 2002, the first National Water Monitoring Day was held to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act. More than 75,000 Americans participated in monitoring events and educational programs throughout the U.S. Additional information is available from EPA at: https://www.epa.gov/newsroom/hi-water_mon.htm or via http://www.worldwatermonitoringday.org.