FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Lori Harrison, (703) 684-2480
lharrison@wef.org
July 22, 2009
Sinclair Knight Merz Partners with World Water Monitoring Day™
International Program Builds Public Awareness about Water Resources
Alexandria, Va. – Global engineering, project delivery and sciences firm, Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) announces its partnership with World Water Monitoring Day™ (WWMD), an international outreach program that builds public awareness about and involvement in protecting water resources around the world. Coordinated by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the International Water Association (IWA), more than 70,000 people in 70 countries monitored water quality at approximately 5,000 sites last year.
As a multidisciplinary global firm that includes a leading water environment business group, SKM possesses a keen interest in issues related to water quality and sustainability. “In all of our projects, we aim for outcomes that consider the economic, social and environmental impacts of both our work and our corporate footprint,” said SKM Water and Environment General Manager Geoff Linke. “Our support of WWMD is one more way that we, as an environmentally responsible organization, can demonstrate that we are prepared to 'walk the talk' alongside our clients and our people.”
In addition to facilitating WWMD outreach via its worldwide network, SKM will also lend insight and vision to the program’s steering committee, the body responsible for developing the program’s long-term goals.
“We are excited to partner with a company that is not only committed to sustainable environmental practices, but also shares WEF’s specific dedication to protecting our global water resources,” said WEF Executive Director Bill Bertera. “SKM is a wonderful addition to the World Water Monitoring Day program team.”
To implement WWMD on a global basis, WEF coordinates the program with the International Water Association. “IWA is delighted about the sponsorship arrangement and looks forward to further strengthening and developing the outreach program,” said IWA Executive Director Paul Reiter.
Citizens monitor their local water for a core set of water quality parameters including temperature, acidity (pH), turbidity (clarity) and dissolved oxygen (DO). The data gathered is then reported to WWMD’s online database and compiled to provide a quick glimpse of the world’s water resources.
Other sponsors include the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PerkinElmer, ITT Corporation and Smithfield Foods. For more information about WWMD visit www.WorldWaterMonitoringDay.org.
About SKM
Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) is an independent, employee-owned global consulting group with a team of over 6,000 people working from offices in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, the Pacific, South East Asia and South America. From these locations SKM operates in the following market sectors: water and environment; power and industry; mining and metals; and buildings and infrastructure.
About WEF
Formed in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization with 35,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. WEF and its Member Associations proudly work to achieve our mission of preserving and enhancing the global water environment.
About IWA
The International Water Association (IWA) is a global network of water professionals that spans the continuum between research and practice, covering all facets of the water cycle. IWA membership comprises 10,000 individuals and 400 corporate members, working in 130 countries. The Association seeks to connect water professionals worldwide to lead the development of effective and sustainable approaches to water management.