What is Adopt-A-Stream?
AAS is a unique effort to involve public and local communities in water quality protection. AAS is a Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division program designed to protect the quality of water of the 70,000 miles of streams and rivers in Georgia using citizen monitoring teams.
To adopt a section of a stream, river or lake, volunteers must attend a workshop hosted by one of the more than 50 trainers throughout the state. Group members must be recertified annually by their local trainer to continue monitoring their local waterway.
Chemical Monitoring
What do you monitor in Chemical Adopt-A-Stream?
"The basic tests are pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. Advanced tests include phosphates, nitrates, ammonia, alkalinity, and conductivity"
Why is it important to conduct chemical tests on your local waterway?"All of the tests will give you a snapshot of the health of your local waterway. For instance, dissolved oxygen is needed for respiration, temperature is directly related to biological activity and pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of the water. Phosphates and nitrates are nutrients that cause algal blooms when present in excess"
How often do you need to conduct these chemical tests?
"Once a month"
Next Training:
Location: Chattahoochee Nature Center
When: Saturday, March 19, 2011 (10 am - 1 pm)
Contact: Sharon Smith - sharon.smith@fultoncountyga.gov
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