Enhancing Water Quality Monitoring in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Water quality is a crucial concern in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, requiring regular testing to ensure the well-being and sustainability of this vital ecosystem. This summer, we are excited to collaborate with Spa Creek Conservancy and Anne Arundel Community College to manage weekly water testing in the region through the development and management of a mobile data collection and analysis toolkit.
The Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States, supports millions of people and diverse plant and animal species. However, it faces challenges such as nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff, urban development, and wastewater treatment plants. These issues can lead to harmful algal blooms, oxygen-depleted dead zones, and other environmental problems affecting human health, wildlife, and the economy.
The Spa Creek Conservancy, a nonprofit organization based in Annapolis, Maryland, is dedicated to restoring and protecting the health of the Spa Creek watershed. Through community engagement, education, stewardship, and advocacy, they work with local schools, organizations, and government agencies to raise awareness and implement projects that improve water quality and protect wildlife and natural habitats.
Under the scientific direction of the Environmental Center at Anne Arundel Community College Associate Professor Tammy Domanski, Ph.D., Spa Creek Conservancy conducts thorough water testing in over a dozen locations every Thursday morning throughout the summer. They measure various water quality factors, including salinity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, chlorophyll A, nitrogen, phosphorus, enterococci, and turbidity. The collected data is analyzed by the dedicated staff at Anne Arundel Community College, with results posted within 24 hours.
Exchange.Design proudly partners with Spa Creek Conservancy to develop a data collection and analysis toolkit to support their water testing efforts. Our platform aims to provide user-friendly access to and analysis of water quality data. The interactive map allows users to view results by location, date, and testing parameters, enabling comparisons across different sites. Through this collaboration, we seek to increase public engagement, awareness of water quality issues, and empower citizens to monitor and protect our local waterways. Stay tuned for updates on this project and its positive impact on the community.
