Virtual Premiere - It's Our Water! How We Can Keep Our Ponds, Streams, and Bays Clean and Safe

In case you missed it, the recording of the 'It's Our Water! How We Can Help Keep Our Ponds, Streams, and Bays Clean and Safe' program is now available on the Library's YouTube page.

CLICK HERE to access the video.

Water quality is a critical issue. Our drinking water is safe because it is treated. But the water in our streams, ponds and bays is not always clean and safe.  For example, Manorhaven Beach was one of the 6 lowest-scoring beaches of over 200 tested on Long Island Sound.  Manhasset Bay is regularly tested for pollutants, but the ponds and streams that feed Manhasset Bay are not regularly tested.  So, we do not have specific information about pollutants and their sources. Typical sources of pollutants include excessive use of fertilizer, leaky septic systems, animal waste and storm water runoff. These not only can adversely affect marine and wildlife, but also our health and our safe use of the water for swimming, boating and fishing. Toxic algal blooms are an ever more common threat and fish die offs are an annual occurrence. But what can we do?

Transition Town Port Washington will present a program about the importance of protecting and maintaining a healthy watershed and how we can help. A Citizen Scientist Water Quality Testing program to test the ponds feeding into the Bay was piloted this summer. Hear about the plans that are underway to engage students, volunteers and other groups in hands-on water quality testing, analysis and assessment. Speakers will include the leaders of the Citizen Scientist Water Quality Testing Program, As well as others who have direct experience with Port Washington’s water quality and representatives of public agencies responsible for water quality in the region.

(Co-sponsored by Transition Town Port Washington)