Kansans encouraged to participate in
World Water Monitoring Day by testing water quality

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) invites Kansans to take part in leading up to an international event, World Water Monitoring Day. World Water Monitoring Day is October 18 and people worldwide will participate by sampling and testing water leading during the testing period, September 18-October 18. Participants will experience water monitoring first hand and learn about the conditions of their watersheds.

In 2003, Kansas ranked 8th in the country for most monitoring sites registered. In 2004 and 2005, Kansas ranked 4th in the country. In 2006, Kansas is aiming to rank first in the country for most registered monitoring sites.

“KDHE encourages groups and organizations in Kansas to participate, with thousands of others around the world, to volunteer to sample the water quality in your area,” said KDHE Secretary Roderick L. Bremby. “This is a good time to stop and think about the importance of water quality in our every day lives---something most of us take for granted.”

To accomplish this important task, KDHE environmental staff will be available upon request to help groups and to serve as a guide for others who join this effort. In addition, The KDHE Watershed Management Section will be donating 75 water test kits to individuals, groups and organizations willing to test 15 sites during the monitoring month. Each kit can test up to 50 sites.

Volunteers will perform four key water tests that are included in the water monitoring kits. The tests are for dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity/clarity and temperature. Volunteers will enter their test results into a global database that stores all information collected during the monitoring period from September 18 through October 18. Data collected during this time can be entered and at: www.worldwatermonitoringday.org.

Individuals and groups interested in participating should contact Jaime Gaggero at 785-296-5579 or jgaggero@kdhe.state.ks.us. For more information, visit the World Water Monitoring Day Web site at www.worldwatermonitoringday.org.

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