World WaterMonitoring

Challenge
Alberto Jimenez 4D

#1 What is WWMC?
World Water Monitoring Challenge is an educational program since 2002 designed to create
awareness and involvement in protecting bodies of water around the world, by engaging
people in the motoring of the water bodies close to them.

#2 When can we participate?

The WWMC runs annually from March 22 ( the United Nations' World Water Day) through
December 31.

#3 What do people who participate in WWMC do?

WWMC participants sample bodies of water close to them, such as lakes, rivers, streams,
ponds, reservoirs and others. They search four different water indicators: dissolved oxygen,
pH, temperature, and turbidity. Some people even monitor for macro invertebrates. Samples
are taken in different settings, such as agricultural, commercial, residential, and industrial.

#4 How many countries participate?

In 2014 41 countries participated (from 6 continents), while in 2013 a total of 184,965 were
made in 51 countries and in 2012 66 countries participated. In 2014 Costa Rica participated,
with data from three different sites.

#5 What kind of testing is done?

The four basic tests preformed on water are turbidity, pH, temperature, and dissolved
oxygen.
Testing turbidity (or clarity of the water)
This test is performed because if organic degree, sand or other materials are suspended in the
water it can prevent sunlight rom reaching aquatic plants and fish habitats. To make this this
test, a small black and white circle is placed in the inside bottom of the sampling jar. You then
fill the jar up to the fill line with the water that is being tested. You put the turbidity scale
card beside the jar, and you compare the circle in the bottom of the jar to the circles on the
scale card, to see which one is more alike to the one in the jar. You then record the turbidity
measure: 0, 40, or 100 JTU, which mans "Jackson turbidity units".

Testing temperature
Testing temperature is very important because many species of animals that live in the water
are sensitive to temperatures out of the range. To preform this test you must first you paste an
liquid crystal temperature strips that measures the range temperature of the water being
tested. Then you place the testing cup about four inches below the water surface and wait
one minute. Then take out the cup and record the temperature that is highlighted on the strip
which is on degrees celsius.
Testing pH
PH is used to measure whether water is acidic, neutral, or alkaline. Aquatic species live better
when the pH of the water is close to 7, which means that it is neutral. Water with pH above or
below 7 indicate poor quality of water. Numbers 4 through 6 indicate the water is acid and
numbers 8 through 10 indicate the water is alkaline. To do this test use the sampling vial and
fill it to the ten milliliter line then add a pH test tablet, close the tube and turn the tube upside
down until the tablet gets dissolved. When the tablet is almost completely dissolved compare
the color of the water in the tube to the ones on the chart and record.
Testing dissolved oxygen
Since Aquatic life needs oxygen to survive, this test is done to see if there is enough oxygen.
To preform this test use a smaller vial. Fill the vial all the way to the top so there is no air left
in it. Drop two dissolved oxygen tablets marked DO in to the vile and place the cap. Probably
some water will overflow when the cap is placed. Turn the tube from side to side for several
minutes and do not shake it. Once the tablets are dissolved wait some minutes for the color to
start showing. And then compare the color of the water on the tube to the colors in the
dissolved oxygen chart. And mark the color that most closely matches the water on the tube.

#6 Why is water tested?

Water is tested because, by doing simple monitoring test to the water people start to learn
about the importance of keeping bodies of water clean. People who learn from these tests can
also teach other people about the importance. These test may also teach people the most
common indicators of the waters health pH, turbidity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen
which are ways that help us understand what is happening in bodies of water near us. It also
gives us information in we need to take more care of.

#7 What is done with the findings?

The findings are collected and analyzed. They must be submitted to the WWMC data base
before December 31 the last day of the year. Participants are encouraged to write their stories
an upload their photographs about the monitoring challenge

#8 When is the page open to post information?

The page is open to post information between March 22 and December 31.

#9 How has Lincoln School participated?

Lincoln school participated in WWMC by going to field trips to some rivers. Students tested
water they tested pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and temperature. Then the results were
compared to the ones of last year.

#10 Where did I get my information from?

My information comes from the WWMC web site Andrew Olsen and Clara Carballo.