Texas Watch hosts water monitoring training and outreach event

SAN MARCOS — As a part of World Water Monitoring Day, Texas Watch is hosting a volunteer water quality monitoring training and an outreach event 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16.

The day will be highlighted by water quality monitoring of the San Marcos River at Sewell Park on the Texas State University-San Marcos campus from 1-3 p.m.

While at the river, students will collect water samples and analyzing them for dissolved oxygen and other indicators of water quality. In addition to observing student activities, the general public is invited to learn more from the nonpoint source watershed demonstration model that will be on display and try their hand at a pH or conductivity test.

“Texas Watch activities are intended to raise awareness in attempts to find a balance between economic, environmental and the needs of local communities that depend on clean, abundant water in local streams,” said Jason Pinchback, volunteer coordinator for Texas Watch.

The day’s events will kick off with classroom sessions at 9 a.m. in Jowers Hall room 207. Topics of discussion will include Texas Watch history and current activities, statewide coverage of the program, how volunteer monitoring activities assist state agencies in protecting and assessing water quality and why certain types of environmental information are collected. From 9:45 to noon, students will be taught water quality monitoring techniques and procedures in a classroom setting.

Texas Watch facilitates environmental stewardship by empowering a statewide network of concerned volunteers, partners and institutions in a collaborative effort to promote a healthy and safe environment through environmental education, data collection and community action.

Texas Watch is a joint partnership of the TCEQ, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Texas State, with the mission of expanding understanding and awareness of water quality and NPS issues across Texas. Through education, data collection, and community action, Texas Watch facilitates environmental stewardship by empowering a statewide network of concerned volunteers and partners in a collaborative effort to promote a healthy and safe environment.

For more information during day-of activities, contact Pinchback at (512) 517-1817.