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March 29, 2005
Herald-Standard

Volunteers sought for water-testing program

The Greater Redstone Clearwater Initiative (GRCI) and Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging Inc. (AAA) are seeking volunteers to test local water quality.

These volunteers will be monitoring water quality in Redstone Creek, Little Redstone Creek and Downers Run.
These Fayette County waterways are impacted by a number of pollution sources, primarily drainage from abandoned coal mines.

This monitoring program represents an extension of the efforts of the Monongahela River Senior Environmental Corps into Fayette County.  Teams of three to four volunteers currently monitor stream sites in Washington and Greene counties.

While the program is directed toward senior volunteers, interested individuals of all ages are encouraged to participate.

The only requirement for volunteers is that they care about improving the local community and environment.

AAA, an affiliate of Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services Inc., is a private non-profit agency that is responsible for planning comprehensive services for older adults.

Since 1974, the AAA has been designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging as the agency responsible for the delivery of aging services in Fayette, Washington and Greene counties.

Recruiting for this volunteer monitoring program in Fayette County will be conducted by GRCI and through the Fayette County Area Agency on Aging.

For more information about GRCI, visit the Web site at www.grci.org.

For more information about the volunteer water quality monitoring program or to become a volunteer water quality monitor, contact Chris Homer with AAA at 724-430-4603 or chomerfayaaa@fccaa.org or Brian Chalfant with GRCI at 724-984-7758 or bchalfant@yahoo.com.