Water Quality Monitoring
The Citizen Watershed Monitoring Network was organized to support citizen monitoring programs and to provide a cost effective way to build an informed community with knowledge about watersheds, pollution prevention, water quality threats, and to train volunteers to collect robust and meaningful water quality data.
Goals of Citizen Watershed Monitoring Network:
- To provide a forum for community monitoring groups
- To provide guidance, training, equipment, and support to monitoring groups
- To increase the amount and quality of community monitoring data
- To increase public and agency use of, and access to, monitoring data
- To establish communications between community monitors and government agencies so that the information that is collected is useful.
Become a Watershed Monitoring Volunteer!
Good water quality is essential to a healthy marine ecosystem. The ability to monitor water quality conditions comprehensively and accurately over time, and to use the data to make effective management decisions, is key to reducing or eliminating harmful contaminants impacting sanctuary health. There are many ways you can collect citizen science monitoring data to help Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary staff better understand and address water quality issues.
Note: Volunteer positions are open to individuals at least age 16 or older and with U.S. citizenship or a person with U.S. legal permanent resident status. There is required paperwork and a NOAA Office of Security background check, which will begin before the start of your volunteer experience.
Snapshot Day
On the first Saturday in May, volunteers from San Mateo County to San Luis Obispo County participate in the annual Snapshot Day event. This sanctuary-wide volunteer water quality monitoring event is designed to increase information and public awareness about water quality issues affecting watersheds that drain to Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The event provides a one-day “snapshot” of the health of the rivers and streams that flow into Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and conductivity are measured in the field and water samples are collected for laboratory analysis of nutrients and bacteria levels. Volunteers collecting this valuable information play a key role as stewards of local watersheds, and the information is used by resource agencies, local governments, and community groups to protect and improve the health of local streams. The most recent Snapshot Day reports can be found in Field Reports.
Commitment
Training Timeframe: April/May each year
Number of Training Days/Hours Required: 1.5 hours
Minimum Volunteer Time Commitment: 5 hours
How to Apply
If interested in volunteering, please fill out a volunteer interest form.
You can also download a PDF application and email to lindsay.brown@noaa.gov.
First Flush
The first winter rain storm can have the highest concentration of pollutants because it is flushing months of built up pollutants that accumulate during the dry weather. These pollutants can be from sources such as brake dust, emissions from cars, animal waste, detergents from car washing, pesticides and fertilizers, among many other chemicals commonly found in and around homes and businesses.
First Flush is an annual storm water monitoring event occurring during the first significant rain storm of the season to characterize the storm water runoff. Monitoring is conducted at storm drain outfalls that drain into Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Volunteers are on call and mobilize day or night to characterize the storm water runoff that is flowing into the sanctuary. Field measurements are collected for water temperature, electrical conductivity, transparency, and pH. Collected samples are analyzed in a lab for bacteria (E. coli and Enterococcus), metals (copper, zinc, lead), nutrients (urea, nitrate, phosphate) and total suspended solids. The most recent First Flush reports can be found in Field Reports.
Commitment
Training Timeframe: September each year
Number of Training Days/Hours required: 1.5 hours
Minimum Volunteer Time Commitment: 4 hours
How to Apply
If interested in volunteering, please fill out a volunteer interest form.
You can also download a PDF application and email to lindsay.brown@noaa.gov.
Urban Watch
Urban runoff, or storm drain pollution, is one of the leading causes of water pollution in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Urban areas may contain up to 90% hard, impervious surfaces such as rooftops, sidewalks, streets, construction sites, and parking lots and pavement where water collects and quickly runs off. Any deposits of oil, grease, pesticides, herbicides, soil, pet waste, etc. in these areas are flushed by rainwater and other means down storm drains. Water flowing through storm drains is untreated and therefore carries these pollutants into streams, rivers, or the ocean.
The Urban Watch program monitors storm drain outfalls during the dry weather months, from June to October, to help cities understand sources of pollution that may be impacting local creeks and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Volunteers perform field measurements for pH, temperature, and conductivity, and collect water samples that are then tested for ammonia, phosphate, chlorine, and detergents using an Environmental Protection Agency approved Storm Water Test Kit.
Commitment
Training Timeframe: Flexible based on volunteers schedule during summer months
Required Training Days/Hours: 1 hour
Minimum Volunteer Time Commitment: No minimum, flexible based on volunteers availability
How to Apply
If interested in volunteering, please fill out a volunteer interest form.
You can also download a PDF application and email to lindsay.brown@noaa.gov.
What You Can Do To Reduce Urban Runoff Pollution
The key to preventing urban runoff from threatening local water quality is to recognize the problem and how our actions can have an impact. Here are some ways you can help reduce urban runoff pollution:
- Use non-toxic, biodegradable, phosphate-free products when cleaning your home, boat, or car. Detergents may contain phosphorus and harsh chemicals that degrade water quality. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies cleaning products that meet EPA Safer Choice standards.
- Properly store all toxic materials
- Take all unwanted hazardous materials and containers to local collection sites
- Use natural organic sorbents to remove spills from pavement
- Use pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers sparingly and carefully
- Use a broom instead of a hose to clean up yard clippings
- Pick up animal waste and dispose of it in designated pet waste or garbage cans
- Take used motor oil and antifreeze to a recycling center or hazardous waste collection center
- Reduce leakage of oil, antifreeze, and other fluids from your car by regular inspections and maintenance
By changing the way we act as individuals, our combined impact on improving water quality can be tremendous. Urban runoff is a type of nonpoint source pollution from many different sources, so preventing it requires far-reaching efforts that cover many different aspects. The Water Quality Protection Program works with cities and counties to develop ways to address urban runoff on many fronts through the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permits from the Regional Water Quality Control Board. More information about local stormwater programs can be found at: