FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Oct. 2, 2002
OLYMPIA - Citizens, students and community leaders will help test the quality of water in creeks, lakes, streams and marine waters all over Washington as part of National Water Monitoring Day on Oct. 18.
The monitoring efforts are part of a nationwide celebration of the 30th anniversary of the federal Clean Water Act. They are intended to capture a first-ever "panoramic snapshot" of the nation's water quality and to raise public awareness about the importance of clean water.
Gov. Gary Locke is urging Washington residents to join the thousands of people across the country who will be participating in local monitoring events on Oct. 18.
"Water is one of Washington's most precious resources, and it is essential that we protect its quality," said Locke. "Participating in this national effort lets citizens learn how vital water monitoring and sampling is to the lakes and streams in our communities."
Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons said water quality in Washington has improved significantly since the federal water-quality law was adopted in 1972.
"Thirty years ago, many cities still dumped untreated sewage into streams, and there weren't many pollution controls on industries," said Fitzsimmons.
"Today, we have treatment systems that enable us to re-cycle sewage water for irrigation, and industries have invested millions of dollars to improve pollution controls."
Despite the many improvements, many water bodies are still polluted, said Fitzsimmons. "Most water pollution today comes from stormwater runoff from the buildings and roads and parking lots we've built. We're losing the trees and other vegetation that help filter out pollutants."
On Oct. 18, volunteer monitors will test for four key characteristics:
dissolved oxygen, pH, clarity and temperature.
Data will be available almost immediately at www.yearofcleanwater.org, and America's Clean Water Foundation will issue a summary report early next year. Participants must register their monitoring sites online before Oct.
18 at www.yearofcleanwater.org
People wishing to participate in a sampling event should contact a local coordinator:
Clark - Cory Samia, 360-696-8478, ext. 8377, Cory.Samia@ci.vancouver.wa.us King - Stephanie Raymond, 206-382-7007, ext. 218; sraymond@pugetsound.org Kitsap - Val Koehler, 360-337-7290, ext.6770, vkoehler@co.kitsap.wa.us Chehalis Basin - Rob Schanz, 360-291-3725, rwschanz@localaccess.com Pierce - Isabel Ragland or Jayme Gordon, 253-845-2973.
isabelr@piercecountycd.org Skagit - Kristi Carpenter, 360-428-4313, kristi@skagitcd.org Snohomish - Suzi Wong Swint, 425-388-6476, s.swint@co.snohomish.wa.us, or Roger Kelley, 425-388-6414, roger.kelley@co.snohomish.wa.us Spokane - Elaine Snouwaert, 509-456-5011, esno461@ecy.wa.gov Thurston/Mason - Robert Simmons, 360-427-9670, ext.396, simmons@wsu.edu
Washington state coordinator Annie Phillips, Department of Ecology, can be contacted at 360-407-6408, aphi461@ecy.wa.gov.
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