To promote the 2004 World Water Monitoring Day in Hong Kong, about 50 students from 10 secondary schools carried out simple water tests at Pok Fu Lam Reservoir today to assess the quality of local water resources.

The activity served as a prelude to World Water Monitoring Day on October 18.

Using handy kits, the students carried out simple tests measuring four basic water properties: temperature, acidity, dissolved oxygen and turbidity under the guidance of a chemist from the Water Supplies Department.

These four basic properties indicate whether the water quality is good for maintaining a normal and healthy ecosystem.

Speaking at the occasion today, Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Transport & Works Lo Yiu-ching said the Government has strived to protect the local water resources by designating the water gathering grounds of reservoirs as country parks.

"While protecting the water against pollution, the public can enjoy the scenic splendours of the reservoirs," Mr Lo said.

"These protection works would only be most effective with full cooperation from people from all walks of life."

Promote awareness in water resources protection

The World Water Monitoring Day, set on October 18 this year, was initiated by the International Water Association in partnership with the America's Clean Water Foundation in 2003 with a view to promoting public awareness and participation in the protection of water resources and quality.

The organisers aim to involve participants from all over the world in testing and monitoring their local water sources.

They are also required to record their findings on the World Water Monitoring Day website, ultimately contributing to a useful resource of knowledge about the world's water.

More than 400 sites outside the United States registered to join the exercise last year.