In conjunction with World Water Monitoring Day, and on assignment for their environmental science class, three Bethany students took samples at the Smoky Hill River in Lindsborg last Sunday, September 21.

Meanwhile, their classmates sampled other bodies of the water in the area, including Kanopolis Lake.

Art education major Jorge "William" Escobar gathered the initial sample.

Escobar said he is taking the environmental science class, taught by Professor of Biology Mark Kozubowski, for general education credit.

"I want to learn more about environmental issues, too," he said.

Sarah Bennett, a communications major, helped evaluate the turbidity of the water.

This test looks at how clear the water is. The Smoky Hill sample scored in the middle of the spectrum.

Joe Vieyra, a sports management major, looked at the oxygen level of the sample.

The river sample didn't score high in this category. That's not good, said Bennett, because "if it doesn't have oxygen it won't have living things."

The pH test of the sample showed it to be slightly basic.

A more neutral test result would have been preferable, said Bennett, because that's what fish and aquatic animals prefer.

The students will submit the data they gathered back to the Water Environment Federation, which joins with the International Water Association (IWA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and other organizations.

Together, the group tabulates and reports the information. World Water Monitoring Day 2008 kicked off September 18 and will continue through October 18.

Last year, more than 46,000 people tested water in 43 countries.