There is much curiosity about just what is in the water that we swim in every day. Just because it is clear, that doesn't mean it is safe... or does it? There are many foundations that use time and resources to collect water samples. However, they could not be as often or as close to you as you would like. Here will be a guide on how to see just what is in your water yourself and maybe gains deeper understanding for the community around you than ever before.
There are many different methods and things you can measure in your water, such as nutrients, bacteria, heavy metals, pesticides. The following on this website are modified for sampling for nutrient analysis.
Other foundations such as Surfrider Foundation, and agencies like the Department of Health (DOH) use FIB (fecal indicator bacteria) as a measure for how polluted the water is.
Other foundations such as Surfrider Foundation, and agencies like the Department of Health (DOH) use FIB (fecal indicator bacteria) as a measure for how polluted the water is.
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General tips for Nutrient water Sampling:
Morning low tide is the best for sampling for the following reasons:
Low tide in the morning, usually is on the new and full moons.
You can use the following page to look at the moon phase (set to Hanalei) and tides (set to Hanalei):
- Morning time means less sunlight (microbial activity increases with more light) and wind (contributes to mixing), which make effect your nutrient values.
- Low tide allows for the least mixing of freshwater (streams and groundwater) and saltwater.
Low tide in the morning, usually is on the new and full moons.
You can use the following page to look at the moon phase (set to Hanalei) and tides (set to Hanalei):
Other factors that could influence your water quality results:
Recent rain events
Recent rain events
- We collected on sunny days to minimize the impact of extra freshwater from the rain
- Some other studies sample rain v.s. no-rain to study the connection between rain and runoff
- You could choose either!
Sampling steps
1. Make sure to map out your area prior to taking samples. Try and take as many samples as you can along the shore from equal distances and, ideally, up a nearby stream (if there are any).
2. These samples must be collected in sterile (acid washed) plastic bottles that are labeled with your name and the location as well as the sample number and the date it was collected, then stored in.
3. Before getting the sample, you must fill and empty the bottle three times to rinse it.
* When collecting from a stream be sure to toss three fills of rinse water downstream, so you do not collect the previously discarded water on accident.
4. After collection, samples should be stored on ice. After being placed in a cooler filled with ice, samples should be filtered immediately and put back into a newly iced cooler before being shipped into a nearby lab for whatever tests you would like (although it's important to contact the lab before you ship so they know the samples are coming and also so your samples won't sit out and get too warm).
2. These samples must be collected in sterile (acid washed) plastic bottles that are labeled with your name and the location as well as the sample number and the date it was collected, then stored in.
3. Before getting the sample, you must fill and empty the bottle three times to rinse it.
* When collecting from a stream be sure to toss three fills of rinse water downstream, so you do not collect the previously discarded water on accident.
4. After collection, samples should be stored on ice. After being placed in a cooler filled with ice, samples should be filtered immediately and put back into a newly iced cooler before being shipped into a nearby lab for whatever tests you would like (although it's important to contact the lab before you ship so they know the samples are coming and also so your samples won't sit out and get too warm).