Kaptur, Environmental Groups, University of Toledo Officials Kick Off Spring Citizen Water Sampling Season

WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), Ann Keefe of Sierra Club, local government officials, environmental leaders and citizen water samplers held a water testing event today to mark the opening of the spring water testing season in the Maumee River watershed. The event featured a water testing demonstration on the Ottawa River at the University of Toledo’s campus and represented a collaboration of more than a dozen local groups.

“The work being done by our citizen water samplers is imperative to the health of our greatest natural resource, Lake Erie,” said Rep. Kaptur. “This is a big job and we need everyone to do their part and help us protect this treasure for our environment and our region’s economy.”

Trained citizens are asked to monitor a river or stream near them once each season. In Northwest Ohio, volunteer efforts are focused on the Maumee Bay Area of Concern, including the Maumee River and adjacent Lake Erie tributaries. The Water Sentinel Program provides free water monitoring kits, training, and sample analysis to participating groups and individuals. Sierra Club has suggested sites for volunteers to test and volunteers can suggest locations as well. Citizens willing to serve as Citizen Water Samplers can contact Ann Keefe at (419) 619-4436 or ann.keefe@sierraclub.org.

“I would like to thank the Sierra Club and commend their partners including the City of Toledo, the University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, Toledo Metroparks, the Olander Park System, Partners for Clean Streams, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Scenic Rivers Program, Ohio EPA, and Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments. This broad group of collaborators shows what we can do when we come together to support the health of our greatest natural resource, Lake Erie,” Kaptur added.

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