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World Water Monitoring Day 2007
Adopted by WEF in July 2006, 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. Since its inception in 2002, more than 80,000 people have participated in 50 countries
| What | Europe Oceania Africa Asia Americas |
|---|---|
| When |
18-Sep-2007 07:00 AM
to 18-Oct-2007 03:00 PM |
| Where | Worldwide |
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What is World Water Monitoring Day™?
World Water Monitoring Day™ is an international education and outreach
program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting
water resources around the world by engaging citizens to conduct basic
monitoring of their local water bodies.
Background
October 18 was originally selected as World Water Monitoring Day in
recognition of the anniversary of the U.S. Clean Water Act. The Clean
Water Act was enacted by Congress in 1972 and is a milestone in efforts
to restore and protect U.S. water resources. However, in 2007, the date
was changed to September 18 in hope of warmer weather since some parts
of our world are frozen solid by October 18.
In 2006, 3,900 sites were monitored in 39 countries, and the program is
expected to grow in years to come. World Water Monitoring Day™ was
started in 2002 by Roberta (Robbi) Savage, president and CEO of
America’s Clean Water Foundation (ACWF). Due to increasing
participation and expanding reach, in 2006 ACWF transferred the program
to the Water Environment Federation (WEF) to provide a larger platform
for program delivery. The WEF Board of Trustees formally adopted the
program on July 27, 2006.
Partners
The International Water Association continues to be a partner in the
coordination and promotion of World Water Monitoring Day™. In addition,
WEF is in the process of forming a technical advisory committee with
several partner organizations and agencies to provide input and support.
Goals
The primary goal of World Water Monitoring Day™ is to educate and
engage citizens in the protection of water resources around the world.
Many communities around the world are unaware of the condition of their
water quality and the impact of their behaviors on the quality of their
water resources. Conducting simple monitoring tests teaches
participants about some of the most common indicators of water health
and encourages further participation in more formal citizen monitoring
efforts.
How Can I Participate?
It’s easy and fun to participate in World Water Monitoring Day™. Just
visit the website to register your site and purchase a test kit. You
can monitor between September 18 and October 18. Reporting data allows
you to share your experiences with others in your community and keep a
yearly record of your monitoring test results. Reports are accepted
until December 18. In addition to monitoring your local waterway,
consider organizing a trash clean up, going on a walk through your
watershed, or talking to a school group or scout troop about water
pollution.
How is the Monitoring Data Collected Through World Water Monitoring Day™ Utilized?
Water quality scientists use data from more sophisticated monitoring
programs to make decisions on the health and management of water
resources. The monitoring tests performed by WWMD participants are
designed to bring communities together to learn about the importance of
monitoring their local water resources and what they can do to help
protect them.
Citizens who enjoy participation in World Water Monitoring Day™ may
want to investigate more sophisticated citizen monitoring efforts such
as http://www.epa.gov/owow/monitoring/volunteer/.
