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News Release U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey |
Address U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Discipline 8505 Research Way Middleton, WI 53562 |
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Release October 16, 2002 |
Contact Michelle Greenwood |
Phone 608-821-3812 |
Fax 608-821-3817 |
National Water Monitoring Day Activities Planned
For Vilas Beach,
October 18, 2002
The Madison Department of Public Health, the Water Resources Division of the US Geological Survey, the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene and Friends of Lake Wingra are sponsoring activities at Vilas Beach to celebrate National Water Monitoring Day, October 18, 2002 from 2:00-3:30. [Background information on National Water Monitoring Day below.]
The event will include demonstrations of water monitoring and sampling equipment. The Madison Department of Public Health, USGS, Wisconsin Laboratory of Hygiene and Friends of Lake Wingra representatives will be on hand to discuss beach monitoring activities and the importance of testing surface waters for temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and microorganisms. Kits will be available for interested individuals to take their own water samples, and information will be available for entering the data collected into a national online database. Students of all ages, representatives of state and local governments, and the general public are invited to attend. Handouts and publications on many water-related topics will be available for attendees.
Madison, Wisconsin
Vilas Beach at Vilas Park
1339 Vilas Park Drive
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Contact: Rob Waschbusch, rjwaschb@usgs.gov
or 608-821-3868
Kirsti Sorsa, ksorsa@cityofmadison.com
or 608-294-5356
Background Information:
Celebrate National Water Monitoring Day in Madison
On October 18, thirty years will have passed since the passage of the Clean Water Act—a milestone to reflect and celebrate our advancements toward cleaner water, and to move forward with even more vigor and partnerships. In recognition of this anniversary, America’s Clean Water Foundation, in cooperation with the a multitude of governmental agencies and environmental groups including the City of Madison, USGS, the Wisconsin Laboratory of Hygiene and Friends of Lake Wingra are sponsoring National Water Monitoring Day activities across the country including at Vilas Beach.
Informed citizens of a watershed often are in the best position to identify priority water issues and to understand the social and economic context in which those issues are addressed. This is why continued awareness and education of water issues is of utmost importance—not only to our students but also to all of us who depend on water for drinking, recreation, irrigation of crops and lawns, industry, and power. National Water Monitoring Day is intended to increase awareness and promote continued education of these issues and needs.
National Water Monitoring Day is only one of several events planned by the America’s Clean Water Foundation to celebrate the 30th anniversary or "Year of Clean Water." Visit the Year of Clean Water website, http://www.yearofcleanwater.org to learn more about other Year of Clean Water activities.
For more information, contact Michelle Greenwood, USGS Middleton Office, (608) 821-3812 mmgreenw@usgs.gov