Waterwatch - Citizen Science

Discover the Waterwatch Citizen Science Program

 

WORKSHOP 2: Physical and Chemical Indicators of River Heath - REGISTER NOW

 
9.30 am - 12.00 noon, Wednesday 23 August (FREE) at the Ballarat East Neighbourhood House, Barkly Square, Ballarat East. Depending on the weather, there may be a short excursion outside to the Specimen Vale Creek. Please wear suitable outdoor, waterproof and warm clothing.
 
Learn to collect and analyse the physical and chemical characteristics of a water sample from a local waterway.
 
REGISTER NOW for this free session (you did not have to attend the first session on 16 August to attend this session).
 
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. 

 

Waterwatch Image 1 webSW23 webbanner728x90 1WORKSHOP 1: Water Bugs as River Health Indicators

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 is looking forward to presenting to the Ballarat community in partnership with the Ballarat East Neighbourhood House during National Science Week, 12-20 August. The free presentation will be held in the morning on Wednesday 16 August at Barkly Square, Ballarat East. Participants will learn how our water quality data from Ballarat is collected and what it can tell us about the health of waterways in Ballarat.

There will be a follow-up session on Wednesday 23 August for those who are interested in further training as a Waterwatch Victoria volunteer.

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.

The National Science Week Event will be held in the Community Room at the Ballarat East Neighbourhood House, Barkly Square, Ballarat East.

WaterWatch logo blueProgram: Wednesday 16 August, 2023

Water Bugs as River Health Indicators

9.30 am - Welcome and introduction (Ballarat East Neighbourhood House Manager & Local Waterwatch Facilitator)

9.45 am - Overview of River Health science (Local Waterwatch Facilitator)

10.30 am - Morning Tea (provided)

11.00 am - Identifying Water Bugs (Local Waterwatch Facilitator)

11.45 am - Wrap up and how to become a Waterwatch Volunteer (Ballarat East Neighbourhood House Manager & Local Waterwatch Facilitator)

12.00 noon – Close

Image supplied by Waterwatch Victoria