Beaverton, OR — October 2, 2007 —
Ever wonder how healthy local streams and creeks are? Students at Merlo Station High School are getting their feet wet by testing their local waterways as part of World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD). The event is sponsored locally by Clean Water Services and internationally by the Water Environment Federation (WEF).
Students and community groups are supplied with water monitoring kits which test water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH levels and turbidity. Merlo Station students are monitoring Beaverton Creek, near their school, at various sites and on several different days. “The kids are having a great time and learning a lot about their impact on Beaverton Creek,” said Janine Weir, Merlo Station teacher.
Students and volunteers worldwide post their water quality monitoring data on the WWMD website (
www.worldwatermonitoringday.org) for inclusion in annual World Water Monitoring Day summary reports. Results can be submitted through December 18 and groups can compare their data to other testing sites around the world.
The goal of WWMD is to educate and engage citizens in the protection of water resources. Conducting simple monitoring tests teaches participants about some of the most common indicators of water health and provides a connection to streams and rivers. “If people can feel connected to a place, they are more likely to help protect it in the future,” said Ely Teragli, Public Information Specialist for Clean Water Services.
World Water Monitoring Day is held annually from September 18 to October 18. Since its inception in 2002, more than 80,000 people have participated in 50 countries.
Formed in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization with 32,000 individual members and 80 affiliated Member Associations representing an additional 50,000 water quality professionals throughout the world. WEF and its member associations proudly work to achieve our mission of preserving and enhancing the global water environment.
Clean Water Services is a water resource management utility for more than 500,000 people in urban Washington County and small portions of Multnomah County, Clackamas County, Lake Oswego, and Portland. Clean Water Services operates four wastewater treatment facilities, constructs and maintains flood management and water quality projects, and manages flow in the Tualatin River to improve water quality and protect fish habitat. Although Clean Water Services maintains a close working relationship with Washington County government, it is a separately managed and financed public utility.