EPA News Media Advisory (Region 7): EPA Expands Real-Time Monitoring of Kansas City Area Streams and Launches KCWaterBug Mobile Application

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7 901 N. Fifth St., Kansas City, KS 66101   Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations   EPA Expands Real-Time Monitoring of Kansas City Area Streams and Launches KCWaterBug Mobile Application   Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, 913-551-7557 or lancaster.kris@epa.gov (news media only)   Environmental News   NEWS MEDIA ADVISORY   (Kansas City, Kan., June 25, 2012) - EPA and local partners will gather on Wednesday, June 27 in Riverside, Mo., to announce an expansion of water-quality monitoring of Kansas City area streams and introduce a related application for smartphones and mobile devices.   The free application is available now for iPhone, iTouch, and iPad through Apple’s iTunes store. A version for Android phones will be available in the future.   EPA is providing $156,000 for in-stream monitoring equipment and satellite technology to supplement an existing urban water monitoring network installed by EPA staff in 2011. One use of data collected by the equipment is to provide real-time estimates of bacteria concentrations in streams, which allows citizens to make informed decisions regarding recreation.   The free mobile application was developed in conjunction with the University of Missouri-Kansas City as part of a broader collaboration called KCWaters. The application provides users with a color code for each of 10 streams denoting recreational activities that should be acceptable based on an estimate of the average concentration of E.coli bacteria that might be found in the stream during the previous hour.   EPA oversees the protection of water quality as required by the Clean Water Act. The Agency is working with the public, community leaders, local and state agencies to meet the growing needs and demands on our water resources.   WHAT: Expansion of monitoring of Kansas City area streams and rollout of free mobile application   WHERE: Renner Brenner Park, 2901 NW Vivion Road, Riverside, Mo. 64150   WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 27, 2012   WHO: EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks, Riverside Director of Community Relations Meredith Hauck, six EPA environmental scientists, and 12 elementary-age students   VISUALS: Water monitoring equipment is at the site. EPA scientists will have instructional booths and teach students about water chemistry as well as biology of streams. Students will examine fish and insects that indicate stream health, and learn how various land uses and urban runoff can affect local streams.   # # #   Learn more about EPA’s water partnerships in Kansas City, Mo.   Locate this and other Region 7 news items on the News Where You Live interactive map   Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion7     Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.     View all Region 7 News Releases     You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.    This email was sent to elmasry.webmaster@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355