Water Quality Monitoring

Duties and responsibilities: Monitor one local creek site a month for the following parameters: dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, turbidity, conductivity, nitrates, phosphates, flow. All monitoring is conducted with a partner. If you need one, you will be paired with another volunteer.

Qualifications: Be able to use meters and test kits accurately. Be able to walk to sites carrying equipment. Complete data sheets thoroughly and legibly. Attend periodic update trainings.

Training: Initial training will be from shadowing a trained volunteer in the field and/or training by VMP staff. Any follow-up questions can be answered by VMP staff. Periodic update trainings required.

Time required: Will be responsible for one creek site each month. All sites are within the Morro Bay watershed. Requires 1.5 to 2 hours per site each month, including travel time.

Commitment required: Upon completion of training, we ask for a minimum six-month commitment. At the end of that time period, you can assess whether you would like to continue with the program.

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