Each summer, volunteer citizen/ scientists of The Presumpscot Regional Land Trust (PRLT) fan out along our local rivers to collect water samples which provide invaluable data about the water quality. The results for the past 10 years, both averages and trends, can be viewed on an interactive map at available at www.prlt.org/water.
There is good news and not so good news for the Presumpscot and Stroudwater Rivers. The good news is that the majority of the top recreational spots along the Presumpscot River have been generally below the state threshold and stable for E. coli bacteria levels. The concerning news is that many of the tributaries to the Presumpscot River exceeded state standards for bacteria levels the majority of the time, and bacteria levels are increasing at many of these sites over the last decade. The same can be said for the Stroudwater River which was tested for the first time last year by the Land Trust, and also exceeded State Standards for bacterial levels the majority of the times it was tested.
If you are looking for an opportunity to give back to your community and to help keep our local rivers clean and healthy, the Land Trust has a job for you. About 40 Water Steward volunteers are needed for the 2019 season. These citizen/scientists will work in a small group of two or three to take water samples every other Saturday during the summer months (a total of 10 samples) along assigned spots on the Presumpscot and Stroudwater Rivers.
Training for those interested will be led by the Maine DEP on May 4 at 10:00 a.m. to noon at USM in Gorham. Volunteers do not have to be available for every sampling day. To sign up, click here.
Rachelle Curran Apse, Executive Director of the Land Trust said, “Clean water is critical for safe recreation and for healthy wildlife. The data collection by our Water Steward volunteers provides crucial information about the health of these two very important rivers and their many tributaries. The Land Trust uses the water quality data we collect to help prioritize conservation projects and to identify potential restoration projects we can collaborate on with partners.”
The Water Stewards take samples to test for E. coli bacteria (an indicator of potential fecal contamination) and dissolved oxygen (needed for most wildlife to survive in the water), two important indicators of clean water. They also measure water temperature. Samples are tested from over 40 sites along the Presumpscot River watershed and at four sites along the Stroudwater River which flows through South Gorham.
The data is used by the State to identify rivers and streams that do not meet state standards. The State can then work with partners to develop restoration plans which address potential water quality problems in the watershed. Mary Ellen Dennis, coordinator of the state Volunteer River Monitoring Program stated, “Volunteer groups like the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust collect water quality samples from locations not regularly monitored by our staff. This allows us to have a better idea of water quality conditions for a broader geographic area.”