World Water Monitoring Day 2007
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) will join with the
International Water Association (IWA), U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and other partnering
organizations to kick-off activities for World Water Monitoring Day
Sept. 18, 2007, at Oronoco Bay Park in Alexandria, Va. Benjamin H.
Grumbles, Assistant Administrator for U.S. EPA’s Office of Water, will
lead a diverse group of participants in hands-on testing of the Potomac
River. Special guest Joe Witte, weekend meteorologist for ABC
7/WJLA-TV, will provide remarks during the opening program.
World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD) is an international outreach
program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting
water resources around the world. Held annually between September 18
and October 18, the program engages communities in monitoring the
condition of local rivers, streams, estuaries and other water bodies.
During the kick-off event, attendees will break into small groups to
conduct hands-on testing of the river for a core set of water quality
parameters including temperature, acidity (pH), clarity (turbidity) and
dissolved oxygen (DO).
The day will also feature fun and educational activities on a number
of water-related topics such as stream flow, rainwater recycling,
aquatic insects and a Chesapeake Bay blue crab display. In addition,
attendees will also have the opportunity to use Enviroscape, an
interactive learning tool that helps make a visual connection between
land use and water quality. Participating organizations include the
Girl Scouts of the USA, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, the Jewish National Fund,
LaMotte Company, the Washington Area Sewer Authority, the Interstate
Commission on the Potomac River Basin, the National Environmental
Education Foundation, the Campagna Center and the Alexandria Division
of Environmental Quality. Program sponsors include EPA, USGS, Perkin
Elmer Instruments, Smithfield Foods, CH2M Hill and ITT Corporation.