(c) Anthony K. Grafton 2003

Watching the Water

Did you know that the Kentucky Water Watch program would like your help? You and your friends can gather data for scientists trying to understand and monitor Kentucky’s waterways by volunteering to gather water samples nearby your home.

The Kentucky Water Watch program is dedicated to protecting the wonderful natural water resources of our state. In order to protect streams, lakes, and wetlands, scientists have to understand them and how they change over time. The best way to understand bodies of water is to sample them regularly and record the results. By joining the Water Watch, you can provide a service to your community and state and learn a little science along the way.

While participating, the Water Watch will ask you or your group to pick a particular body of water in your area for regular monitoring. A few times a year, you’ll go out and gather water samples using proper scientific techniques. You may even be able to perform some simple tests on the water yourself and report your results to Water Watch. The longer your group can monitor the water in your area, the better scientists can understand how to protect and preserve it for future generations.

The Kentucky Water Watch very much needs volunteers. They would love to work with a group, a class, or even a family, as long as at least one adult is in the group who can take responsibility for the equipment and supplies they’ll send to you. They’ll also train your group in proper procedures for water quality monitoring. For more information on how you can participate in the Water Watch, contact Ken Cooke at Kentucky Water Watch, 14 Reilly Rd, Frankfort, KY 40601 or call him at 1-800-928-0045. Your state and your environment need your help!