Water is our most important resource and all living organisms need it to survive. But did you know that only 1%of the Earth’s freshwater is available for our use? Nearly 97% of all water is saltwater and the other 2% is freshwater frozen in glaciers. Due to this fact, we need to ensure that we are doing everything we can to keep Earth’s water pollution free.

World Water Monitoring Day was created by America’s Clean Water Foundation in 2003 to build awareness about protecting water resources and to encourage people to test the quality of local bodies of water. While the official day is celebrated on September 18, monitoring events and other educational activities can occur anytime between March 22 and December 31.

Here is how you can participate in World Water Monitoring Day this year:

Test your water

Find a local body of water you wish to test, whether that be a stream, river, or lake. Purchase a testing kit from a local hardware store or visit www.monitorwater.org or order a kit. Be sure to check out their guide for tips!

Share your results

Sharing your results is just as important as recording them!

  • Upload your results to the worldwide EarthEcho Water Challenge database at www.monitorwater.org. Browse the results of over 1.6 million participants!
  • Present your findings to your local council.
  • Take your results to social media and encourage others to do the same.

Participate in events to improve water quality

This can include waterway clean-ups, painting storm drains to remind people to avoid throwing trash on the streets, or planting native plants near streams to avoid erosion. The options are endless!