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October 18, 2002
News Specialist Jed Boal Reporting
Hundreds of volunteers headed for Utah's streams, rivers and
lakes today to get a clearer picture of our water quality.
They're doing it as part of the first National Water Monitoring
Day.
Today is the 30th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act, an important
law that protects our waterways. The message from water quality
experts is this -- the water belongs to us. We need to take
care of it.
At 9:00 this morning, hundreds of volunteers took water samples
along major Utah water sheds.
This team coordinated monitoring the quality and physical
properties of the water from Brighton all the way to Farmington
Bay, and along Big Cottonwood Creek and the Jordan River.
The Great Salt Lake keepers say the data will demonstrate
how water quality changes as it travels through the urban
setting.
"We've been getting a snapshot of the water quality all
the way from the top of the watershed to the bottom,"
said Jeff Salt, a lake keeper at the Great Salt Lake.
These fourth graders from Riley Elementary helped record the
data and finish some tests.
"We're testing the water so we can find out what's polluting
it."
"So our habitat is nicer ... and so we can drink it."
Never before have so many communities across the country tested
their water at the same time. One reason this is important
is to increase awareness about our water quality and to keep
the Clean Water Act from being diluted.
"What we're facing now is an onslaught by the current
political machine to try to do away with these important laws
that protect the community," Salt said.
All information will be entered into a national database to
help chart trends in water quality over the past 30 years.
These students may be learning what they need to know to help
care for our watersheds for the next 30 years.
"It's taking pride and a sense of ownership in the community
they live in. It's also a chance for children to start thinking
about the environment ... the water, the air, those kinds
of issues," said Joy Gasperini, a fourth grade teacher.
What can
you do to help?
Keep your storm gutters clean. Wash your car on the lawn rather
than on the driveway. A lot of our water problems come from
the storm drains -- that water is not treated, and it runs
into our rivers.
For more information, visit the following sites:
America's
Clean Water Foundation
Year
of Clean Water 2002
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