2023-T3-Waterwatch - Citizen Science - Workshop #2

FREE

Discover the Waterwatch Citizen Science Program

Workshop 2: Learning how to measure the physical and chemical indicators in a waterway.

In this second Workshop, you will learn to collect and analyse the physical and chemical characteristics of a water sample from a local waterway.

Depending on the weather, there may be a short excursion outside to the Specimen Vale Creek. Please wear suitable outdoor, waterproof and warm clothing.

The Ballarat East Neighbourhood House will be hosting a Waterwatch Victoria Water Quality Testing Kit and we are currently helping the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority to recruit volunteers to their team. Please contact us for more information. 

About the Program

The Corangamite Waterwatch Citizen Science program has supported community water quality monitoring on regional waterways, including the Yarrowee, Leigh and Moorabool Rivers since 1995. Many Ballarat residents may have had an introduction to the program when visiting our “Wonderful Water Bugs “ displays at the Ballarat Begonia Festival each year.

We are currently looking for passionate community members to join us in testing the waters of Lake Wendouree, Lake Esmond and the Yarrowee and Leigh Rivers and associated wetlands.

The normal suite of tests done by the Waterwatch Community Monitoring Program include dissolved oxygen, pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, reactive phosphorus and turbidity. Volunteers are trained and provided with equipment and support to do monthly monitoring.

A Quality Assurance Quality Control (QA/QC) program is implemented, which focuses on training in appropriate calibration procedures, servicing of equipment, and checking of data.

The Corangamite Waterwatch Citizen Science team enjoyed presenting to the Ballarat community in partnership with the Ballarat East Neighbourhood House during National Science Week, 12-20 August. The free presentation, Water Bugs as River Health Indicators, was held on Wednesday 16 August at Barkly Square, Ballarat East. Participants learnt how our water quality data from Ballarat is collected and what it can tell us about the health of waterways in Ballarat.

There are two Waterwatch Sites in broader Ballarat East, one at Lake Esmond and the other near the Prest Street bridge, Mount Pleasant.

All water quality data collected is entered into the publicly available Waterwatch Data Management System and is available from the Waterwatch Data Portal. Have a look at a Waterwatch site near you. If you have a passion for your local waterway you may wish to register your interest in becoming a Waterwatch monitor.

The Corangamite Citizen Science program is proud to be supported by the City of Ballarat and Central Highlands Water.

  • WhenTuesday, 22nd Aug 2023
    11:30 PM - 2:00 AM
  • Where

    Ballarat East Neighbourhood House Community Room, Barkly Square

  • Facilitator

    N/A

    • Could not find any active session.
    Name
    Ballarat East Neighbourhood House
    Email
    reception@ballarateastnh.org.au
    Phone
    0422 612 052

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