BALTIMORE, MD - State officials will join approximately 45 Advanced Placement Biology and Environmental Science students to test local waterways and mark World Water Monitoring Day. By participating, Maryland students receive a hands-on experience in assessing the condition of their local environment. Students will also use some of the same basic tests that MDE uses to develop objective information needed for the assessment, protection, and restoration of Maryland’s waters. Moreover, they will be able to view the results of their work on-line and compare their findings with those of other students. The effort also complements Maryland's commitment to promoting environmental education as embodied in the Chesapeake Bay 2000 Agreement.

MDE provided schools across the state with simple water quality monitoring kits containing 50 sets of tests that students can use to gather data on four important measures of water quality – dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and clarity. Each school has the opportunity to upload their data to a special section of the MDE website to be added to data collected worldwide.

World Water Monitoring Day is an annual awareness activity sponsored by America’s Clean Water Foundation, the International Water Association and a growing list of partners. Through locally based global events, citizens of all races, creeds, nationalities and ages learn more about water quality issues. More information can be found at: www.worldwatermonitoringday.org.

###​