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Massachusetts Celebrates World Water Monitoring Day

Release Date: 10/30/2006
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

(Boston, Mass. – Oct. 30, 2006) - Twenty-two Massachusetts groups were recognized by EPA for their efforts to provide volunteer water quality monitoring, which is helping Commonwealth residents to have a cleaner environment.

EPA, joined by state officials and local environmental groups celebrating World Water Monitoring Day today at the Schrafft’s Center’s Waterfront Park on the Mystic River in Charlestown, awarded equipment to volunteer water quality monitoring groups, including the Mystic River Watershed Association, Housatonic Valley Association, Jones River Marine Ecology Center, Charles River Watershed Association, Taunton River Watershed Alliance, Salem Sound Coastwatch, Merrimack River Watershed Council, Connecticut River Watershed Council, Webster Lake Association and to Roger Frymire, citizen activist.

Using this equipment, volunteers will assess the water quality conditions of Massachusetts 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 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: https://www.epa.gov/owow/monitoring/

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