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Connecticut Celebrates World Water Monitoring Day

Release Date: 10/18/2006
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

(Boston, Mass. – Oct. 18, 2006) - Several Connecticut environmental groups were recognized by EPA for their efforts to provide volunteer water quality monitoring, which is helping Nutmeg State residents to have a cleaner environment.

EPA, joined by state officials from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP) at Riverfront Plaza in Hartford, awarded water monitoring equipment to two groups from Connecticut and two groups from western Massachusetts. The Connecticut groups are the Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor (QSHC) and the Connecticut River Watch Program (CRWP).

The two groups from western Massachusetts are the Webster Lake Association and the Connecticut River Watershed Council. Using this equipment, volunteers will assess the water quality conditions of Connecticut’s lakes, rivers and estuaries with the data collected. Over the years, volunteers have been successful in raising awareness of failing septic systems, illicit discharges of sanitary sewerage, and nonpoint source runoff.

“At least 200 New England groups are helping to protect our environment by doing volunteer water quality monitoring,” said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “These volunteers are an incredible resource helping all of us to know the condition of our streams, rivers and ponds, and I’m pleased that we can provide equipment to these groups to help them expand their sampling programs. EPA commends all the volunteers doing their part to monitor Connecticut’s and Massachusetts’ waters.”

World Water Monitoring Day is an initiative co-sponsored by EPA and the Water Environment Federation to urge people around the world to test the quality of their streams, lakes, wetlands and coastal waters. This international outreach program builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world. Held annually, it encourages communities to monitor the condition of local rivers, streams, estuaries and other water bodies. Since its inception, more than 80,000 people have participated in 50 countries.

More information on World Water Monitoring Day (epa.gov/owow/monitoring/)

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