Yesterday, I spent the afternoon testing water samples gathered from the Chattahoochee River at the City of Roswell GA Chattahoochee River Park on Azalea Drive. As part of the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream (AAS) program, and serving as a volunteer Water Quality Chemical Monitor, I was excited to run some basic tests, examine the results, and provide some Data regarding the water quality of our local treasure: The Chattahoochee River.
Georgia Adopt-A-Stream (AAS) is housed in the NonPoint Source Program in the Water Protection Branch of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. The program is funded by a Section 319(h) Grant. The goals of Georgia Adopt-A-Stream are to (1) increase public awareness of the State's nonpoint source pollution and water quality issues, (2) provide citizens with the tools and training to evaluate and protect their local waterways, (3) encourage partnerships between citizens and their local government, and (4) collect quality baseline water quality data.
To accomplish these goals, Georgia Adopt-A-Stream encourages individuals and communities to monitor and/or improve sections of streams, wetlands, lakes or estuaries. Manuals, training, and technical support are provided through Georgia EPD, Adopt-A-Stream Regional Training Centers and more than 50 established Community/Watershed Adopt-A-Stream organizers.
If volunteers wish to learn more about their adopted body of water, they are encouraged to conduct biological or chemical monitoring. The Biological and Chemical Stream Monitoring manual guides volunteers through the monitoring process. Free workshops are provided at regular intervals in the Atlanta region and as needed in other areas of the State. These workshops are listed in our bimonthly newsletter and our website. Volunteers can monitor their waterways without attending a workshop, but those who attend and pass a QA/QC test will then be considered quality data collectors under the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Quality Assurance Plan. QA/QC data is posted on the Adopt-A-Stream database.
WHAT -- Water Quality Chemical Monitoring Test:
•The basic tests are pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and conductivity
•Advanced tests include phosphates, nitrates, ammonia, and alkalinity
WHY
•Oxygen is needed for respiration
•Temperature is directly related to biological activity
•pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of the water
•Phosphates and nitrates are nutrients that cause algal blooms when present in excess
WHEN
•Once a month
Here are images of me, performing a Water Quality Chemical Monitoring Test on 7.29.11:
Well, first, I headed down to the Dock on the Chattahoochee River, prepared my work station. First I opened my KIT, and reviewed the content within.
Next, I gathered a Water Sample of the River, consulted my notes, and began the PH levels test. The water looked relatively clear. You can see the fog start to roll off the river. I also took temperature measurements of the Air & Water (not shown here).
Air Temp = 27.5C
Water Temp = 20C
I then added 10 drops of the PH wide range indicator, inverted the sample several times to ensure mixing.
Once, the solution was mixed, I compared the PH of the gathered sample using the PH indicator comparator box, based on color. The solution was neutral, as per my evaluation. PH=7
The Next test I performed was to determine the Dissolved Oxygen levels in the water sample.
1. Collect Water
2. Add reagents 8 drops of Manganous Sulfate Solution & 8 drops of Alkaline Potassium Iodide Azide, cap & invert. 
3. Add 8 drops of Sulfuric Acid & shake.
3. Add 8 drops of Sulfuric Acid & shake.
*Solution is FIXED
4. Place 20 mL of Water Sample into Titration tube. 
5. Fill the titrator with Sodium Thiosulfate.
5. Fill the titrator with Sodium Thiosulfate.
6. Add Sodium Thiosulfate from titrator 1 drop at a time.
7. Remove cap
8. Add 8 drops of Starch Sodium to titration vial (turns blue).
9. Continue titrating 1 drop at a time until solution turns clear.
10. Read titrator to determine Dissolved Oxygen levels.
Dissolved Oxygen results = 7.2 pmm
See YOU at the: NEXT Workshop for Adopt-A-Stream [AUG 18, 6–8pm] - "Bacteria Monitoring" @CityofRoswellGA [10495 Woodstock Rd, Roswell, GA] vculbreth@roswellgov.com
Georgia Adopt-A-Stream teams up with government and non-government groups to provide access to technical information and assistance to citizens interested in preserving and restoring the banks and vegetation along their waterways. The AAS network will assist local governments educate citizens about the importance of protecting riparian corridors and provide landowners with the information they need to restore the riparian zone on their property to reduce erosion, improve water quality and provide wildlife habitat with native plantings.
