Launching Summer 2025!
We are partnering with Drinkable Rivers, a Netherlands-based organization with hubs around the world, to start a Drinkable Rivers community science water quality monitoring program on the Salinas River.
As part of the Drinkable Rivers global movement, this program uses community science to support the health of the Salinas River and its beaver population.
About the Program
What is Drinkable Rivers?
Drinkable Rivers works towards a world with drinkable rivers through inspiring walks, events, research, education, and mobilization through various action programs.
In 2005 Li An Phoa canoed the full length of a river in Canada, the Rupert. All along the way, she could drink water straight from the river. Three years later, Li An came back and she could not drink from the Rupert anymore. The river was polluted as a result of dams and mining. Fish died, people got ill. The delicate balance in the ecosystem was destroyed.
This experience inspired Li An to lead river walks, from the headwaters to the mouth, engaging communities along the way and inspiring the people she meets to care for their river. Now, Drinkable Rivers has grown to include Citizen Science hubs in 25 countries across the world.
What is community science?
Community science, sometimes called “citizen science,” refers to scientific projects that invite the participation of everyday community members, as opposed to projects that only involve professional scientists. No previous experience or education is required in order to participate in community science. It is open to anyone and everyone who wants to contribute to the health of their community!
What is it like to do a Drinkable Rivers water quality test?
Drinkable Rivers water quality tests are best performed in groups of 2 or more people. As you perform the test, you write down data on a paper datasheet.
Data you will collect during a Drinkable Rivers test:
- Observations
- Features present in the landscape
- Plant cover
- Substrate (type of rocks/soil)
- Photos of the river
- Your personal experience of the river
- Does the water seem pleasant? Healthy? What stands out to you?
- Water observations and measurements
- Wetted width and depth
- Surface flow
- River color, odor, and turbidity
- Temperature
- pH
- Electrical conductivity
- Total hardness
- Alkalinity
- Total & free chloride
- Nitrate/nitrite
- E. coli
Performing a Drinkable Rivers water quality test will likely take longer at first, as you grow accustomed to the procedure. Once you are established and confident, the test will likely take around 60 minutes.
Do I need to have a science background to participate?
No! Community science is for anyone and everyone with an interest in contributing to the health of our river. The most important part is a willingness to learn the protocol and perform it consistently each time, to ensure high-quality data.
Program Requirements
What volunteers will do:
- Perform monthly Drinkable Rivers community science water quality tests
- Collect and submit basic data on a paper datasheet as part of each visit
- Submit datasheets to the SLO Beaver Brigade
- Attend a monthly virtual meeting with SLO Beaver Brigade staff and the rest of the Drinkable Rivers volunteers
Frequency: Monitoring will be performed once a month at each site.
Requirements:
- Physical ability to walk through sandy, uneven terrain and to wade in the water.
- Must provide own transportation to monitoring sites.
- Willing to perform tests as part of a team of 2 or more people
- If under age 18, you must bring a parent/adult with you to Drinkable Rivers activities
Commitment: This program requires an ongoing commitment from volunteers. Ideally you would be available to volunteer at least once a month, attend a monthly virtual meeting, and make at least a 4-month commitment.
How to join: If you are interested in joining our Drinkable Rivers community science monitoring team, please fill out the Drinkable Rivers Interest Form. We will contact you in late Spring 2025 with information about getting trained as a volunteer.