On July the 20th, the ACE Project and its partners got volunteers out testing across the region, to provide a one day snap shot of water quality.
Here’s an article on Coal River Mountain Watch’s event:
Water quality testing with Coal River Mountain Watch
CHARLESTON –
The Tadpole Project of Coal River Mountain Watch is hosting a day of water quality testing and education, trash cleanup and a celebration on the Marsh Fork of the Coal River.
The event is part of a regional water testing event called the “Big Dip Day.” People across the coal bearing regions of Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky will take water quality samples of their local streams on Saturday, July 20. This is part of a coordinated effort to gain a better understanding about water quality in Appalachia. “Big Dip Day” aims to increase water quality data collection and increase awareness of water quality issues in the region.
According to a press release, Erin Savage, a water quality specialist and regional event organizer with Appalachian Voices, said “Big Dip Day is an opportunity for local people to make an impact in their community. Nobody cares more about local water quality than the people who live near these streams and rivers, the people who rely directly on that water for drinking, watering their garden, as a place where their kids play, and more.”
The event is part of the newly launched Appalachian Citizens’ Enforcement Project, or ACE. Its a program of the Alliance for Appalachia. A variety of local, regional and national organizations are working together through the Alliance to end mountaintop removal coal mining and create a sustainable, just Appalachia. The ACE Project trains citizens to collect water quality data in their own communities and compiles and public displays information from around the region.
Citizens will meet up at 11 a.m. at the old Girl Scout camp near Jarrell’s Bottom in Rock Creek. Contact Coal River Mountain Watch for more details at (304) 854-2182 or online at coalriver@crmw.net.
To learn more about the Tadpole Project visit www.crmw.net/projects/tadpole-project.php.