041015 Smithfield Employees Test Water Samples

Smithfield, VA - Once again this year, Smithfield Foods employees will join volunteers across the United States and more than a dozen other countries to collect water samples from local waterways as part of World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD) activities between now and October 18.

Created by America's Clean Water Foundation, WWMD engages the public, governments and corporate leaders in global efforts to protect and enhance worldwide water quality.

Last year, during the initial observance of WWMC, Smithfield employees in 10 states and Poland tested water supplies from 31 sites. Smithfield's goal is to do even better this year. Each year's official WWMD observance falls on October 18, although the testing period began a month earlier.

"Smithfield Foods is a corporate sponsor of WWMD," said Dennis Tracy, vice president, environmental, community and government affairs.

"Becoming involved in environmental activities helps demonstrate that Smithfield is a highly responsible, concerned environmental steward committed to improving water quality in communities where we live and work," Treacy said.

Environmental coordinators at each Smithfield facility will be collecting samples at a nearby waterway between now and October 18. America's Clean Water Foundation is supplying test kits for all volunteers.

"In creating World Water Monitoring Day, we wanted to provide an opportunity for people of all ages, backgrounds, creeds, faiths, cultures and ethnicities to come together as a global network of individuals who are willing to invest their time and energy in the pursuit of clean water," said Roberta (Robbi) Savage, president of America's Clean Water Foundation.

"No matter who you are or where you live, clean, pure water is essential for drinking, hygiene, agriculture, commerce and recreation," said Treacy. "I'm proud to say that Smithfield employees demonstrate time and again that they firmly believe environmental stewardship is everyone's duty and obligation."

World Water Monitoring Day was inspired by the success of the National Water Monitoring Day event in the United States in 2002, which marked the 30th anniversary of initial passage of the U.S. Clean Water Act. WWMD serves as a yearly platform for watershed leaders, educators and trained volunteers to help others better understand how the actions of individuals affect everyone.

The goal is to increase the public's awareness of its role in protecting and preserving the quality of the world's waters by inviting a wide range of citizens to work alongside more experienced monitors to help sample water quality.

Using a simple water monitoring kit, volunteers collect samples for four key tests: pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature and clarity. Participants then enter water sample data into the WWMD database. The data will help in drafting summary comparisons reflecting water quality conditions throughout the world.

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