Advice from Owlie - Water Quality Month

Q: Dear Owlie,

I am officially back in school and am so excited! I think my teacher is planning to book a field trip to the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park this school year so that I can come visit you again! My teacher also told me that the month of August is National Water Quality Month. How can I celebrate? Thanks, Owlie!

Sincerely,

Swimming Sixth Grader

A: Dear Swimming Sixth Grader,

Welcome back to school! I hope you can come visit me as well! Be sure to let your teacher know there is also a virtual field trip option where you can visit me, learn about water, participate in engaging activities, and take a virtual tour of the Wetlands all from the comfort of your own classroom. In the meantime- Yes! I’d love to tell you about National Water Quality Month and how you can help celebrate.

In case you didn’t know, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the United Nations founded August as Water Quality Month in 2005. Since then, Water Quality Month has been dedicated to raising awareness of water-use efficiency and the importance of clean water on individual health, collective agricultural needs, and the needs of our environment.

IEUA's Water Quality Laboratory

My friends over at IEUA do this in a variety of ways from groundwater recharge to wastewater treatment and more, but they ALL help to secure a clean, reliable, and high-quality source of water for the region. There are many ways you can contribute as well such as picking up your trash (and recycling when possible!), taking shorter showers instead of baths, turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth, as well as collecting cold shower water while you wait for it to heat up and using it to water your plants.

Thank you for doing your part to be water-wise! I’ll talk to you all soo(HOO)n!

Owlie