The Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) is Surfrider’s volunteer water quality monitoring program that provides critical information to protect public health at the beach. Chapter water testing programs are designed to fill in the gaps and extend the coverage of state and local agency beach monitoring efforts, so more information is available to support safe recreation in coastal waterways. The Blue Water Task Force continues to grow and set records. We are on track to reach 10,000 samples by the end of 2025, with more than 600 sampling sites and over 60 active labs nationwide. This year, five chapters have either launched new BWTF labs, relocated, or revived programs that had been inactive since before COVID.
North Orange County, CA. In June, the chapter partnered with the California Institute of Technology to launch a new BWTF lab at Kerckhoff Marine Laboratory. The program's main goals are to supplement the water quality data provided by the Orange County Health Department and to give students hands-on experience and a stronger connection to their local environment. In addition to this new partnership, the Chapter also collaborates with students and faculty from Golden West College and several local high schools to collect and test water samples. View all BWTF sampling sites and data in North Orange County here.
Monterey, CA. In August, the chapter relaunched their BWTF program. They are testing five locations bi-weekly, with the goal of providing consistent water quality data to the community, filling the gaps left by the Monterey County Department of Health’s beach monitoring program that only tests monthly in the winter. The chapter is currently working on an agreement to move their lab to META Lab, a student‑driven and faculty‑led data research hub at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies that partners with community organizations on research and data evaluation projects. Under the direction of BWTF lead Harry Parker, the Chapter has produced engaging Instagram posts and a video celebrating the program’s relaunch.
Monterey BWTF Coordinator Harry Parker’s video showing their lab process.
San Diego, CA. In mid-August, the chapter officially launched a new BWTF Lab in South San Diego County, marking an exciting step forward for local water quality efforts. The lab is the result of a unique collaboration between the San Diego Chapter's BWTF, Clean Border Water Now, and the YMCA's Camp Surf. Beyond boosting local water testing capacity, the lab offers campers hands-on learning experiences and strengthens advocacy efforts addressing transboundary pollution. To learn more about this unique partnership, check out this blog.
Camp members learning to process water samples (left) in the new lab at YMCA’s Camp Surf (right).
Vancouver, Canada. Surfrider Vancouver kicked off their BWTF program with a pilot at Kitsilano Beach. They’re comparing their results with data from Vancouver Coastal Health, which currently only samples popular beaches from May to September. The goal of the Vancouver BWTF is to expand testing into the spring, fall, and winter so year-round water users have better information to rely on.
Vancouver’s BWTF team collecting samples and working in the lab.
South Orange County, CA. In December, the South Orange County BWTF formed a new partnership with the Ocean Institute at Dana Point Harbor and relocated their lab there. The Ocean Institute is a marine science education center that gives students and the public hands-on opportunities to learn about the ocean and coastal environment. Blue Water Task Force volunteers will process water samples at the lab, while the Ocean Institute hosts the equipment and provides a one-of-a-kind learning space. This partnership not only boosts local water monitoring efforts but also brings the community closer to meaningful ocean conservation
BWTF Coordinator, Teddy Kahn, celebrating the new lab launch in front of the Ocean Institute.
We are excited to welcome these new labs into our network! With our network of BWTF growing across the country, our program continues to provide a vital role in protecting clean water for all to enjoy.
Monitoring Harmful Algal Blooms & Warning the Public in Ventura, CA
In other exciting news, Ventura County BWTF volunteers were trained by California’s Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program, which tracks and assesses water quality across the state, to monitor and report algae mats in the Ventura River. While out in the field, they discovered several species of cyanobacteria thriving in a popular swimming hole at Big Rock Preserve—a favorite spot for families to cool off. After checking in with the SWAMP program’s lead scientist, the team posted warning signs to help keep the public informed.
The Toxic Algae Alert sign installed by Ventura BWTF at Big Rock Preserve.
Cheers to all our BWTF labs!
Thank you to all of our new and existing BWTF labs for continuing to provide the public with crucial water quality information so everyone can know where it’s safe to surf, swim, and play. A huge congratulations to our teams for continually breaking sampling records! As our Surfrider volunteers all know, every water sample is a step toward a clearer understanding of local water quality and protecting the health of our waterways.
Some of our amazing BWTF volunteers in action.
To volunteer or find a BWTF lab testing near you, check out our online map at bwtf.surfrider.org.