Water Quality Related Educational Links and Resources

Environment Canada
Learn facts about freshwater from this comprehensive and entertaining site.

Red River Basin Water Quality Project
This project uses existing advanced telecommunication systems to expand a school-based water research learning activity to several communities in a single surface water drainage basin. This project also connects the school-based activity directly with community interest groups concerned with regional water resources.

U.S.G.S. Water Resources Information
This site takes teachers to the U.S. Geological Survey's "Water Science for Schools" pages. They offer information on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, images, and an interactive center where teachers and students can give their opinions and test their water knowledge.

FM River
FM River provides residents of Fargo-Moorhead accurate, time-relevant information about the quality of the Red River of the North in order to promote a better understanding of this valuable resource, the main source of drinking water for the community.

Urbanization and Water Quality
The U.S. Geological Survey's Water Science for Schools site examines the effects of urbanization on water quality.

American Rivers
Their mission is to protect America's river systems and to foster a river stewardship ethic. The American Rivers site index offers information on dams, flood plains and a glossary of river-related terms.

Water Environment Federation - Teachers
Founded in 1928, the goal of this organization is to preserve and enhance the global water environment. The Water Environment Web provides student materials and activities (K-12) concerning the water environment. To learn more about the issues explored in "The Urban Explosion" - drinking water quality, the effects of urbanization, creating sustainable communities - visit the following Internet sites or write to the organizations listed.

Water Environment Federation - Students
Founded in 1928, the goal of this organization is to preserve and enhance the global water environment. The Water Environment Web provides student materials and activities (K-12) concerning the water environment. To learn more about farming and technology, the Dust Bowl, El Nino and other subjects raised in "Land of Plenty, Land of Want," visit the Internet sites listed below.

American Water Works Association (AWWA)
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is an international nonprofit scientific and educational society dedicated to the improvement of drinking water quality and supply. Its Blue Thumb Project is an ongoing campaign to raise public awareness and understanding of drinking water issues.

Darby Duck and the Aquatic Crusaders
Learn more about water pollution. Understand the characteristics of water. Learn how water interacts with other elements.

Waterways are awash in traces of chemicals
A government analysis shows the nation's waterways are awash in traces of chemicals used in beauty aids, medications, cleaners and foods. Among the substances: caffeine, contraceptives, painkillers, insect repellent, perfumes and nicotine.
Scientists say that the problem is that these substances largely escape regulation and defy municipal wastewater treatment. And the long-term effects of exposure are unclear, they say.
The compounds are sold on supermarket shelves and found in virtually every medicine cabinet and broom closet, as well as farms and factories. And they are flushed or rinsed down the drain every day. But they do not disappear, researchers warn.
Hydrologists with the U.S. Geological Survey tested water samples in 30 states for 95 common compounds, an emerging class of contaminants known as pharmaceutical and personal care pollutants, or PPCPS.(More about the U.S.G.S survey)

What affects the health of Minnesota's waterways?
Minnesota Public Radio's Changing Currents studies the state of Minnesota's rivers. What role do citizens and businesses play in the health of these waterways? MPR presents results from a gathering of 50 citizens and river-oriented stakeholders. They met on April 29, 2002 at St. John's University in collegeville, Minnesota, specifically to develop a set of questions that they think are important for policymakers, opinion leaders, and citizens to answer.

EPA Region 5 issues "State of the Waters 2002 Report"
To mark the 30th anniversary of the Clean Water Act on October 18, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and six midwest states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin) have issued a report on their successes, goals and challenges for improving water quality in the region. The State of the Waters Report is a collaborative effort of Region 5 Water Division and its partners. It describes the status of waters within the region and highlights the accomplishments of regional partners in achieving their five shared water goals: support of healthy aquatic biological communities, maintenance and improvement of critical aquatic habitats, sustaining of fish populations with safe levels of contaminants, assurance of waters safe for swimming, and availability of safe drinking water supplies.
This report is intended to be the first in a series that, when taken together, will show trends in Region 5's water quality. Some of the data is already complete enough to report on water quality trends. For others, however, data improvements are needed before a baseline can be established. Over time, the report is intended not only to show the status of the waters but also the progress made in improving data. (More information)