Watershed Group Seeks Volunteers For Water Quality Testing On Sept. 20
Watershed Group Seeks Volunteers For Water Quality Testing On Sept. 20
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Staff Report-
Watershed Group Seeks Volunteers For Water Quality Testing On Sept. 20The Watershed Foundation is organizing a water quality testing event Sept. 20 and is seeking volunteers.
The group is hoping to rally the support of at least 150 people to assist in monitoring water quality at 100 stream sites throughout Kosciusko, Noble and Whitley counties.
The event is in its second year.
Snapshot Day volunteers will become citizen scientists, monitoring temperature, dissolved oxygen and transparency at local sites, according to a news release from the group.
Participants also will collect water samples for analysis of bacteria, nitrate, phosphate and pH levels. The data collected on Snapshot Day by volunteers will be used to help determine future action to ensure clean water in the district.
“We test the streams that come into the lakes because the pollution begins in the watershed. We can work with landowners to stop pollution at its source on the land before it reaches our lakes,” said Lyn Crighton, TWF’s executive director.
The Snapshot Day not only gives TWF valuable data, but also allows local residents to “jump right in” and become part of a larger solution.
Monitoring sites will include work in wetlands, large streams, small ditches and culverts on county roads.
Sites have been assessed for their safety and difficulty to access — and there is a wide range for every ability. Whether a person has ever waded in a stream or not, there is a site for participants, the news release said.
The event is from 2 to 6 p.m. The estimated time commitment will range from 90 minutes to two hours.
During registration at each staging site, TWF will provide volunteers with sampling materials, training, as well as maps, photos and directions to their testing sites.
To register, go to tinyurl.com/snapshot2018, contact The Watershed Foundation at 574-834-3242 or send an email to admin@watershedfoundation.org.
