Every year we work with the Buzzards Bay Coaltion to test the Westport River's ecological health. This is done with the Baywatchers, who are local residents that love the water and want to do their part to protect it. These "citizen scientists" go out one morning per week in summer to test key aspects of the water's health. Since the program began in 1992, hundreds of local residents have volunteered as Baywatchers, testing the waters of Buzzards Bay.  

Please contact Roberta Carvalho (water@wrwa.com) if you would like to help with testing. Training is May 13 and testing starts at the end of the month. 

As part of volunteering, Baywatchers must:

• Commit to monitoring at a designated location one morning per week from May to September. Attend a training to learn how to collect water samples.
• Follow instructions in the Baywatchers kit to ensure accurate measurements.
• Be comfortable working on docks, piers, beaches, and boat ramps at the water's edge.

Each week, Baywatchers measure the following parameters:

• Dissolved oxygen
• Temperature
• Salinity
• Water clarity

All data collection and analysis is conducted in accordance with a Quality Assurance Project Plan approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. For more information visit the Buzzards Bay Coalition's website:http://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/ProtectBay/CleanWater/SoundScience/Baywatchers