The following is an editorial written by Gary Kimsey, FOP board member and a founder of Friends Of The Poudre. The editorial appeared in The Coloradoan, page A6, on September 22, 1999.

Worry now about water quality

By Gary Kimsey

Greeley's contaminated drinking water was hot news.

Unfortunately, Greeley isn't alone on water woes.

As the world's population continues to boom and ushers in more pollution, we can expect wars in the not-so-distant future over clean water sources, experts predict.

Even now strange things are happening.

Take the case of the Canadian businessman with a plan to transport part of that nation's clean water supply to the Mideast by dragging giant plastic bags full of drinkable water across the ocean. The people of Canada wisely (oh, and here's a bad pun!) doused his scheme.

The City of Fort Collins should be praised for diligently maintaining excellent water quality that meets or surpasses state and federal health standards. The most recent water quality report can be found on the Internet (www.ci.fort-collins.co.us/Utilities).

Even though the city has quality water, don't be lulled into thinking the Poudre River is totally pure and unpolluted.

The Poudre is a river of extreme contrasts.

Most folks see the romantic version of the river: a clear white-water stream, tumbling over boulders, abundant with trout and opportunities for rafting and kayaking, a river of esthetic value. Indeed, that's true for some stretches.

But, as strange as it might seem against the stream's backdrop of natural beauty, the Poudre has been named Colorado's worst polluted river and is considered to be the nation's 25th worst polluted river. That's according to a 1996 federal report, the Toxic Release Inventory, a study funded by Pew Charitable Trusts and other foundations.

Meanwhile, Colorado's Water Quality Control Division and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released information in 1998 showing water quality problems on the river have possibly decreased fish populations in the lower Poudre Canyon and along stretches flowing into Fort Collins.

There is no indication of improvements since 1996. In fact, problems are likely getting worse as our local population expands.

But it's tough to know for sure because no river-length water quality monitoring program exists, largely due to matters of turf and monetary issues among governments and other major water users.

Water quality problems have greatly concerned Friends Of The Poudre, a grassroots watershed conservation group.

We fear that our watershed-1,866 square miles which encompass 270 lakes and reservoirs, and 21 rivers and creeks that flow into the Poudre-is headed to a point of no return, and that we-the growing population that relies on the river-are sitting here very unaware because all we have is the romantic vision of the Poudre.

The concern prompted Friends Of The Poudre to acquire assistance from the River Network, a national watershed organization based on Portland, Ore., to help set up a river-length water quality monitoring program.

Right now, we are in the planning stage and are looking for citizens, businesses and governments to partner with. We want to monitor and protect the river's quality for everyone-humans, fish and wildlife alike.

River Network's help also allows us to offer free public programs about water quality and other watershed issues. The purpose is to educate members of the public about the things around them that impact their quality of life and the watershed.

The first program, featuring water experts from the Colorado Environmental Coalition and Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, focuses on water quality laws and what we, as citizens, can do to encourage governments to enforce the laws. The program will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. October 6 at Poudre Fire Authority Station #12, at the corner of Highway 1 and Country Club Road. You are invited.