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World Water Monitoring Day commemorated on the banks of the Anacostia River

Release Date: 10/18/2005
Contact Information: Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567

Contact: Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today is World Water Monitoring Day, culminating a month of water quality monitoring activities in which educators, families, scouts, volunteer water monitoring organizations and government professionals have been taking water quality samples, sharing data, and educating their communities about water quality.

The day coincides with the 33rd anniversary of the Clean Water Act, which was celebrated today along the Anacostia River by students, government leaders and representatives from local environmental groups participating in a water monitoring activity.

“We commemorate this landmark clean water legislation by taking part in a global effort to monitor water quality,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Marcus Peacock. “Let's take this opportunity to rededicate ourselves to learning more about the condition of our nation’s waters, and to reaffirm our commitment to protect and restore them. We must continue to work together for clean water, today and every day.”

Peacock joined officials from the Earth Conservation Corps, America’s Clean Water Foundation, and the International Water Association as a featured speaker at the event. Students from the Washington, D.C. area joined with Earth Conservation Corps members to demonstrate water monitoring techniques along the banks of the Anacostia.

World Water Monitoring Day gives youth and their families the opportunity to get involved and learn about the health of their local watersheds by participating in water monitoring activities. Between Sept. 18, and Oct. 18, 2005, citizens around the world visited local streams, rivers, lakes or wetlands to test for basic water quality indicators such as dissolved oxygen, temperature, clarity and pH. The results will be posted on America’s Clean Water Foundation website at http://www.acwf.org/ .

In 2004, more than 50 countries and about 50,000 people participated in World Water Monitoring Day activities. This year, at least 60 countries are expected to participate. More information about World Water Monitoring Day is at: http://www.worldwatermonitoringday.org Information about EPA’s monitoring activities is at: https://www.epa.gov/owow/monitoring .


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