Pennsylvanians have a unique privilege. Our state constitution guarantees its citizens clean water. But with that privilege comes the responsibility that the water leaving Pennsylvania in our rivers and streams is also providing clean water to those that live downstream. So, how are we performing those responsibilities? Sadly, we get failing grades in providing clean water both for ourselves and for others.
Just this week we read about radiation and heavy metals coming from sewage treatment plants that are polluting the rivers and streams where we get our drinking water. We hear of micro plastics and nurdles in our rivers and trout stocked in a stream contaminated with PFAS. There are many more stories but the point is that we are being denied our constitutional right to clean water on a daily basis. Unfortunately, we generally accept this as a fact of our “Way of Life.” To those outside of Pennsylvania, we are often referred to as living in the sacrificial zone.
It is time for the citizens of Pennsylvania to also accept their responsibility for this condition and to demand our constitutional right to clean water.
The Harry Enstrom Chapter of The Izaak Walton League of America, a chapter located in Greene County, PA, has focused their efforts on water quality and urges you to join them in participating with over a million others in the EarthEcho Water Challenge.
This is a world-wide event that aims to build public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by empowering citizens to carry out basic water monitoring. Izaak Walton is trying to focus their efforts around the week of September 14 to show the magnitude of interest in clean water. They are asking that during the week of September 14 you visit your favorite body of water and test a water sample. If you do not have a kit or know how to do this test, you can visit the EarthEcho Water Challenge website.
They also ask that you send a copy of your test results to IWLAHARRYENSTROMWATER@ gmail.com. Your results will be shared with universities who will analyze the data. All data will be shared.
Take a step and show that you care about the quality of water we drink, play in, and share.
John Detisch, New Salem, Fayette County