World Water Monitoring Day 2024听
Wednesday, September 18, 2024 is World Water Monitoring Day and it recognizes the crucial role monitoring plays in the conservation efforts at organizations including the 糖心直播 (UTRCA).听
What is water quality?听
Water quality is the measure of the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water.听
What is water quality monitoring?听
Water quality monitoring is the regular testing and analysis of water sources and their indicators. Indicators include temperature, dissolved oxygen, acidity, salinity, and nutrients. Water quality tests can also look for toxic chemicals like pesticides and metals. Reviewing of the data points is then carried out听to identify potential trends or irregularities in our aquatic ecosystems.听
Why is water quality monitoring important?听
There are many reasons why听monitoring is important including:听
- Characterizing waters and identifying changes or trends in water quality over time.听
- Identifying existing problems or future potential issues in our aquatic ecosystems.听
- Gathering information on a specific regional area or subwatershed.听
- Determining whether program goals are being achieved (ex: reducing pollution).听
- Responding to emergencies, such as spills or floods.听
How is the UTRCA involved in surface water quality monitoring?听
Our oldest monitoring program began in听1964. The UTRCA has worked collaboratively with Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network (PWQMN) partners to collect water samples monthly at water quality stations since then. Today, 24 stations along the Thames River and major tributaries of the Thames are sampled from March through October across the watershed as part of the PWQMN. Additionally, there many other active monitoring programs at watershed, subwatershed, and field level scales.听
The information collected from the long- and short- term water quality monitoring programs are used to reveal trends and patterns which, in turn, can inform stewardship making decisions. Stewardship efforts can help improve water quality in degraded areas and protect water quality in areas facing environmental pressures.听
World Water Monitoring Day highlights how crucial water quality monitoring is in keeping our environment healthy and sustainable.听
Contact: Craig Irwin, Water Quality Specialist