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            Auburn University - University Relations
                         (334) 844-9999
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4/6/95                Katie Skala 

AUBURN HELPING ALABAMA CITIZENS PROTECT THEIR WATERSHEDS
     AUBURN -- Citizen groups throughout Alabama are learning to
study and protect the wetlands of their state with the help of a
water quality monitoring program coordinated by Auburn University
faculty.
     Alabama Water Watch, funded in part by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and the Alabama Department of Environmental
Management, was developed in 1993 by the AU Department of Fisheries
and Allied Aquacultures.
     "The program is the result of a general dissatisfaction with
water quality in the state," says John Grover, a professor with the
AU department. "There are health advisories on certain Alabama
rivers; so for all the wonderful fishing in the state, you can't
eat the fish."
     William Deutsch, an environmental and training specialist AU
agrees, saying that many human activities are having a significant
effect on Alabama's watersheds, contributing to problems of
pollution, low oxygen levels and habitat loss.
     "These problems can be realized and then remedied only if the
population is made aware, which is where Alabama Water Watch comes
in," says Deutsch.
     Water Watch coordinators conduct workshops regularly
throughout the state, training volunteers to collect water samples
and test them for dissolved oxygen, pH, hardness, alkalinity,
temperature and clarity. The participants also learn to use
organism inhabitation statistics and organism pollution tolerance
to determine the ecological condition of the water source. They
then send their findings to program organizers at AU for analysis
and summary.
     There are about 50 groups participating as Water Watch
monitors for 62 water bodies in Alabama, says Deutsch, adding that
by the end of third quarter 1994, they had collected nearly 600
data reports -- more than five times the number that had been
submitted by the same time in 1993.
     About one-third of the monitoring teams are school groups,
with the rest ranging from canoeing clubs to individual volunteers.
     "We've really got a good variety of people from all walks of
life taking part," Deutsch says. "Some work at sites that they have
watched degrade over time. They're angry and want to do something
about it. Others are on outstanding natural resource water and want
to protect it."
     "In any case," Grover adds, "the program is taking people from
the standpoint of Ôwe see our water deteriorating' to that of Ôwe
are trained to observe and keep tabs on water quality.' "
     And though it is too early to report "the overall quality of
water in Alabama" Deutsch says, program coordinators hope to get a
good idea with the "Water Watch 25th Earth Day Challenge."
     In its April 22 celebration of Earth Day's 25th anniversary,
Alabama Water Watch will call on citizens to help collect the
largest number of water samples ever gathered simultaneously in the
state. Video teams will document the process at several locations,
from the sampling sites to the statewide announcement of the
results.
     "I'd like to encourage everyone, especially teachers and
school groups, to demonstrate their interest and concern by
participating in this unique statewide environmental study,"
Deutsch says.
     Interested groups and individuals should contact:
               Earth Day Snapshot
               The Alabama Water Watch Program
               Department of Fisheries
               Auburn University, AL 36849
               phone: (334) 844-9119
               fax: (334) 844-9208
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     CONTACT: Grover, 334/844-9213; Deutsch, 334/844-4786.