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Fowler High Test Local Waters

Release Date: 09/30/2004
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(#04154) SYRACUSE, New York -- To celebrate World Water Monitoring Month and encourage people around the world to test water quality in their streams, lakes, wetlands and coastal waters, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) teamed up with students and organizations to test waters in the Onondaga Lake area. Local EPA officials joined representatives of the Onondaga Lake Partnership, Onondaga Lake Cleanup Corp., Upstate Freshwater Institute, U.S. Geological Survey, New York Department of Environmental Conservation and 25 students and teachers from Fowler High School to assess the health of Onondaga Creek. They will perform similar testing in Webster Pond tomorrow. "World Monitoring Day raises global awareness of the importance of water quality to the environmental and local communities," EPA Regional Administrator Kenny explained. Each year, participants across the country and around the world help us gather information and characterize the conditions of our waters." World Water Monitoring Month celebrated from mid-September to mid-October, recognizes the importance of being more aware of the water we use for drinking, swimming, showering and in our gardens. Checking the health of our waters fosters a better understanding of which activities pollute them, and how we can protect them with greater vigor. Around the world this month, volunteers of all ages are performing four key tests in their local waterways. These tests measure dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity/clarity and temperature. Volunteers will then enter their findings on a Web page accessible to the public. The Onondaga Lake Partnership (OLD), of which EPA is a partner, promotes cooperation between federal, state and local governments, and other parties in the management of environmental issues for the Onondaga Lake and its watershed. In 2002, the first National Water Monitoring Day, focused only on U.S. waters, was held to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act. Due to the success of the event, the program has been expanded to include other nations. Test kits may be ordered and more information can be obtained through America's Clean Water Foundation at www.worldwatermonitoringday.org.