EarthEcho International Rallies Communities for World Water Monitoring Day, Welcomes 2026 Water Challenge Ambassador Cohort

Test kits now available for direct purchase as EarthEcho equips volunteers to monitor, record, and protect local waterways.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As World Water Monitoring Day approaches, EarthEcho International calls on communities to get outside, test their local surface water quality, and take steps to improve their local waterways. The 2026 event also marks the announcement of EarthEcho's 2026 Water Challenge Ambassador youth cohort.

World Water Monitoring Day is celebrated on September 18 in recognition of the anniversary of the US Clean Water Act, which was enacted by Congress to restore and protect the country's water resources. This holiday is the chance for community members to learn about the health of their local waterways and take meaningful steps to improve them. With an affordable test kit, free planning resources, and a network of partners, EarthEcho makes it possible for individuals, classrooms, and communities to get involved.

This year, EarthEcho welcomes 60 Water Challenge Ambassadors, young people ages 13–22 who will spend the next year building water literacy in their communities. EarthEcho's Water Challenge Ambassador pathway guides young people through a process of understanding the threats to global water resources, learning to use water quality testing tools, translating results into actionable solutions, and engaging peers through community events, cleanups, and educational outreach.

Water Challenge test kits are now available for direct online purchase from EarthEcho International, making it easy to start monitoring your local water quality—the first step toward developing a deeper knowledge of clean water.

EarthEcho offers free online materials to help anyone take part in the Water Challenge and plan community-based events. These guides provide step-by-step actions to address stormwater stewardship, hosting cleanups, and restoring riparian zones and habitats. Test results and environmental actions can be logged in EarthEcho's online database, where users access trends over time—turning data into teaching tools for classrooms and communities.

"EarthEcho's Water Challenge has become an important part of how we connect our students with the waterways in their own communities. More than just teaching students how to test water, the Water Challenge gives them the tools to understand the water around them and helps them see why protecting it matters." Norah Mendoza, Minorities in Shark Sciences—Water Challenge partner

Learn about EarthEcho International at https://www.earthecho.org

SOURCE EarthEcho International