254,459 Waterways Visited in 2012 Monitoring Challenge
Participants from Albania to Zimbabwe tested their local waterways, according to the new Year in Review report from the Water Environment Federation and the International Water Association.
People around the world made a total of 254,459 visits to test water quality in local streams, rivers, lakes, and other water bodies during the World Water Monitoring Challenge in 2012, according to the program's Year in Review report from the Water Environment Federation and the International Water Association. WWMC grew out of the World Water Monitoring Day program in 2012. While an official "day" is observed each year on Sept. 18, the broader challenge encourages people everywhere to test the quality of their waterways. Participants can monitor and report data to the WWMC database anytime from March 22 (World Water Day) until Dec. 31.
The program distributed more than 12,000 WWMC monitoring kits worldwide during 2012, and participants responded, both individually and as collectively through schools, universities, and civic, environmental, and faith-based groups. Data were reported from 66 countries, including the United States with 2,971 monitored sites, followed by Spain (1,320), Romania (176), and Canada (175), according to WEF.
The participants tested for four key water quality indicators: dissolved oxygen (DO), pH (acidity), temperature, and turbidity (clarity).
WEF received financial and in-kind support from primary sponsors that included the U.S. Geological Survey, Xylem Inc., and Smithfield Foods. For a complete list of program partners, the Year in Review report is available online at www.MonitorWater.org or by emailing a request to wwmc@wef.org.