Methodology

Reminders:

  • Monitoring should take place every 2nd Sunday starting 14th April unless otherwise advised. All surveyors sampling on the same day will help reduce weather related error in the data sets.

  • Check the health and safety guidance before and during every trip you take out into the field

  • Record your results in the field via the https://survey.thecleddauproject.org.uk/survey or on a paper copy of the form (to later upload online) after every survey

  • Contact us with any issues you have

Things to take out into the field:

The basic water quality test kit*

These items will be supplied to you

Other important things to take with you

You’ll need to source these items yourself

 

❏ Hanna Phosphate Photometer + reagents
❏ Hanna Nitrate Photometer + reagents
❏ Hanna Ammonia Photometer + reagents
❏ Hanna pH and temperature probe + calibration reagent
❏ Turbidity tube
❏ Syringe
❏ Telescopic sampling rod and water collection vessel
 
❏ Kitchen roll or clean lint cloth
❏ Mobile phone
❏ Paper form and pen (as back up)
❏ Hand sanitiser or plastic gloves
❏ Rubbish bag and waste bottle
❏ Tweezers
❏ Flow rate 1m long L shaped tool & floats + depth pole/gauge
 

*Some volunteers may be using more advanced equipment, if advised or requested to do so by their volunteer coordinators. Instructions for using any other kit will be provided separately

Collecting a Water Sample:

  1. Identify a safe place to collect your sample, where the water is free-flowing.
  2. Perform a ‘triple rinse’ of your sampling container, by filling your container and then emptying it down-stream of your collection point, three times. Also rinse any other monitoring equipment (syringes, test tubes etc.) in river water before using them.
  3. Lower your sampling container into the water and aim to collect a sample from just below the surface.
  4. Transport your sample to a suitable site nearby to carry out the field tests.

Take care not to disturb sediment from the riverbank or riverbed as you collect your sample from the river as this is likely to affect your results

Avoid taking samples from stagnant or slow moving parts of the river as this is not representative of the main flow of the river

Performing water quality tests and recording your data:

  • Perform water quality tests on your sample in the following order: sensor measurements → nutrient tests → turbidity measurement
  • Carefully follow the step-by-step instructions provided for each test to ensure accurate data collection – detailed instructions are available in your training resources and are summarised over the next few pages
  • Ensure you understand your groups’ health and safety guidance for carrying out each test
  • Do not carry out testing if for any reason it is not thought to be safe to do so on the day
  • Know the general range in results you should expect to get at your sampling site and, if readings look particularly out, consider repeating the test(s)
  • Carefully record your data in the field on https://survey.thecleddauproject.org.uk/survey or paper survey form

 

Recording and submitting your survey results:

  • As well as recording water quality data, please remember to fill out the rest of the survey details in the form provided.
  • It is essential you record the date, time and location of your survey as prompted to at the start of the form.
  • The other survey questions in the form are very useful in helping us to better understand the water quality data you collect – please complete all that you can. Be sure to record anything unusual you observe and highlight any issues you had carrying out your survey.