The Blue Water Task Force is Surfrider’s volunteer water quality monitoring program that provides critical water quality information to protect public health at the beach. Surfrider chapters use this program to raise awareness of local pollution problems and to bring together communities to implement solutions.
Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) labs measure fecal indicator bacteria levels in recreational waters and compare them to water quality standards set to protect public health. Chapter-run BWTF programs fill in the gaps and extend the coverage of agency-run beach monitoring programs by sampling ocean and bay beaches, estuaries and potential freshwater sources of pollution such as stormwater outlets, rivers and creeks that discharge onto the beach.
View Your Local Water Quality
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Water quality testing provided by Surfrider's {{info.name}} Chapter
Surfrider Foundation Rhode Island partners with the University of Rhode Island’s (URI) Watershed Watchprogram to implement its water testing program. Surfrider volunteers collect samples from popular recreational beaches, and samples are sent to the URI Watershed Watch Laboratory. Scientists at URI provide training, equipment and supplies to all participating volunteers and run a state-certified lab for sample analysis.
Our BWTF data augments the beach monitoring program conducted by Rhode Island Department of Health and helps build community awareness of local pollution issues.
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