Charles River Watershed Volunteer Monthly Water Quality Monitoring

Once a month, more than sixty volunteers gather at thirty-five sites along the river to collect water samples, measure depth and temperature, and record river conditions. The water quality monitoring program is now in its 13th year, and is one of the oldest and largest volunteer sampling programs in the country. The data collected is used to identify problems in the river and trends in water quality, and to track the progress of efforts to clean up the Charles. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continues to use our data to award a grade for the annual Charles River report card. Our data and analyses also assist municipalities and environmental agencies and organizations who are working to minimize stormwater impacts and reduce sewage contamination in the river.

CRWA and all of our volunteers appreciate the generous support from funders of the 2009 volunteer monitoring program:

• The Bilezikian Family Foundation
• Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
  
  
  

About the Study

• Background
• How to Interpret the Data
• Explanation of testing parameters
• Water Quality is Improving
  • Read the 2007 year-end report (PDF) NEW!
  • Read the 2006 year-end report (PDF)
  • Read the 2005 year-end report (PDF)
  • Read the 2004 year-end report (PDF)

Information for Volunteers

Monthly water monitoring volunteers are responsible for taking a water sample at an assigned site once a month at 6am; volunteers are trained by CRWA staff and equipment is provided. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Rebecca Scibek Wickham.

• 2009 Sampling Dates
• Download volunteer field data sheets: - PDF - MS Word
• View a list of sampling sites and check for volunteer opportunities in your area!