Blue Water Task Force

General Blue Water Task Force Information

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Planning a Water Testing Program
• BWTF Overview 1-Pager

Publications

• Surfrider’s Clean Water Annual Report 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
• Surfrider’s Blue Water Task Force Annual Report 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011

Sampling and Lab Instructions

• Sampling Data Sheet
• Water Sampling Instructions & Sample Collection Video Demonstration
• Written BWTF Lab Instructions for IDEXX Quantitray/Enterolert method & Surfrider Lab Tutorial video.
• How-to videos for using IDEXX Enterolert or Colilert.
• MPN Table for the Quantitray Sealer

Resources for Working with Schools

• Working with Schools for your BWTF Lab Blog Post
• Click to download Memorandum of Understanding Template for Schools
• Click to download Participatory Waiver Form

IDEXX Quantitray Sealer Manuals & Maintenance

• Sealer Plus User Manual - Cleaning & Maintenance p.6-8
• Sealer Model 2X User Manual, Cleaning and Maintenance

Autoclave Information

• Reducing Plastic Waste: Using an Autoclave & Glassware in the Lab Blog Post
• How To Set Up Your New Autoclave Video
• How to Load & Use Your Autoclave Video
• Autoclave Cleaning and Maintenance Manual by Tuttnauer 

Sampling in Cold or Rough Conditions

• Information about Sample Collection Poles

Getting your Data Out There

• How to Communicate Blue Water Task Force Data

Educational Resources

• BWTF Program Presentation by Mara Dias: PDF & Webinar Recording
• 2003 BWTF Manual
• Video featuring Huntington Beach’s BWTF at the Pegasus School
• Video featuring Santa Monica High School’s BWTF Program
• "What's in the Water?" 1-Page BWTF Infographic containing information about fecal pollution and risk to human health.
• Examples of Beach Signs and Public Notices of Beach Closures & Swimming Advisories 

Other Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Programs

• Safe Waters, Healthy Waters: A Guide for Citizen Groups on Bacteria Monitoring in Local Waterways, Center for Watershed Protection
• Volunteer Bacteria Monitoring Program Guide, Neighborhood Water Watch, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper
• National Water Quality Monitoring Council, Webinar about "Volunteer Monitoring: Evolving Bacteria Monitoring Programs" by Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and Surfrider Foundation

Other Outreach and Information Resources

• Use this web-based Ocean Illness Form to collect reports of people getting sick from swimming or surfing at your local beaches.  Chapters can set up “alerts” on the site that will send them emails whenever a report is submitted within their designated area.
• Learn more about BWTF and the importance of water testing on the Beachapedia website, including articles like Health Threats from Polluted Coastal Waters, Bacteria, and Bacterial Pollution: Tracking the Sources.

Colleen Henn | Clean Water Coordinator | chenn@surfrider.org