Tracking and Tackling Stormwater Pollution using the Water Reporter App
Presentation Abstract
Stormwater contributes millions of pounds of contaminants into the Salish Sea every year but many people still believe that stormwater is filtered or otherwise treated before reaching the water. RE Sources, an environmental and educational advocacy non-profit, launched the Water Reporter Program in Whatcom and Skagit Counties, Washington State during fall 2019. The program is designed to educate local citizens about stormwater pollution and to provide them with an easy opportunity to be a part of the solution. Residents download the free Water Reporter App and join the North Sound Baykeeper group; they then become a member of a community that is keeping their eyes on their local waterways. People can post pictures of pollution, algal blooms, or stormwater problems and then be directed to the quickest way to remedy the situation. They can also pose questions about what is and what isn’t pollution. All observations are geo-referenced so pollution events can be located and tracked over time. This program consists of a variety of means to help people become better Water Reporters including an in-depth printed and digital manual, a full length presentation, stormwater tours, water-based tours, and tabling materials. The Water Reporter App was created by Chesapeake Commons, a nonprofit organization that develops technology to tackle some of today's most difficult environmental problems. Funding for the program was provided by a Public Participation Grant awarded by the Department of Ecology.
Session Title
Environmental Monitoring and Sampling Techniques
Conference Track
Data Analysis, Modeling & Decision Making
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2020 : Online)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
2020_abstractID_4535
Start Date
21-4-2020 9:00 AM
End Date
22-4-2020 4:45 PM
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events); posters
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Urban runoff--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Water--Pollution--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Environmental monitoring--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Subjects – Names (LCNAF)
Washington State. Department of Ecology
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Type
Text
Language
English
Tracking and Tackling Stormwater Pollution using the Water Reporter App
Stormwater contributes millions of pounds of contaminants into the Salish Sea every year but many people still believe that stormwater is filtered or otherwise treated before reaching the water. RE Sources, an environmental and educational advocacy non-profit, launched the Water Reporter Program in Whatcom and Skagit Counties, Washington State during fall 2019. The program is designed to educate local citizens about stormwater pollution and to provide them with an easy opportunity to be a part of the solution. Residents download the free Water Reporter App and join the North Sound Baykeeper group; they then become a member of a community that is keeping their eyes on their local waterways. People can post pictures of pollution, algal blooms, or stormwater problems and then be directed to the quickest way to remedy the situation. They can also pose questions about what is and what isn’t pollution. All observations are geo-referenced so pollution events can be located and tracked over time. This program consists of a variety of means to help people become better Water Reporters including an in-depth printed and digital manual, a full length presentation, stormwater tours, water-based tours, and tabling materials. The Water Reporter App was created by Chesapeake Commons, a nonprofit organization that develops technology to tackle some of today's most difficult environmental problems. Funding for the program was provided by a Public Participation Grant awarded by the Department of Ecology.
