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Harwich
Water Quality Task Force – Sampling Program
WHAT’S IT FOR?
The Harwich
Water Quality Task Force (HWQTF) sampling program
was established in order to monitor the nutrient related ecological
water quality issues within the Town of
Harwich
. These areas include the
embayments of
Saquatucket
Harbor
,
Wychmere
Harbor
,
Allen
Harbor
,
Herring
River
as well as over a dozen fresh water ponds.
WHAT DOES IT DO?
Sampling is conducted by trained volunteers during the summer
months when water quality is at its annual minimum.
The volunteers work in small groups collecting water samples and
data pertaining to salinity, temperature, pH, chlorophyll, nitrogen,
phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and some general weather &
water conditions. Bacterial
conditions are measured in all the salt water systems as well.
Samples are taken six times over the summer period, between the
hours of
7am-10am
, and only take about 1.5 hours to complete.
The field sampling kit
shown in the photo includes typical equipment for taking measurements
such as dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, turbidity, as well as water
samples which are transported to the SMAST laboratory in
New Bedford
or the Barnstable County Health Lab.
We train all volunteers and volunteers work in small groups (3-4
people).
HOW DO I SIGN UP AND RECEIVE TRAINING?
The sampling program
relies heavily upon its volunteers each and every year.
We are always looking for more volunteers, not only for water
sampling, but for coordinating samples and equipment at the Natural
Resources office, driving samples to the lab, helping with communication
between groups, and analyzing data.
If you have interest in joining the many volunteers who have made
our program successful, please contact
Heinz Proft
at the Natural Resources Department (508-430-7532) or hproft@town.harwich.ma.us
Upcoming training dates, sampling dates, latest developments will be
posted on this web page calendar. We
look forward to hearing from you.
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