Community Water Testing Equipment

[Chris]

Hello All.
At the East Hampshire CP we are looking at setting up a Catchment Monitoring Scheme. We will be measuring various quantitative and qualitative data points but in particular are looking to record Nitrate and Phosphate levels. To do this we are aiming to set up a network of volunteers/community groups who we can provide training for and then equip with the surveying equipment they need. We therefore need reliable, accurate, easy to use and cheap surveying equipment.
I’m currently looking at using a ‘Lovibond CheckIt comparator’ as from my research this seems to be the best compromise. Has anyone else used the CheckIt Comparators and how have they found them?

Many thanks,

Chris

[Emily Cooper]

Hi Chris,

I’m posting on behalf of Annabel Hanson.

The University of Hull has developed a very simple method for measuring phosphates. They have created a paper device that just needs to be dipped into a water sample. It then changes colour in the presence of phosphates (and they are working on nitrate device). They also have a mobile app (called RiverDip, which you can download for the Apple or Google app stores) which allows users to record the measurements.

If you want to get in touch with them email Mark Lorch on M.Lorch@hull.ac.uk

[Lucy Butler]

Hi Chris

In case you’ve not already seen it we’ve put together a Citizen Science Resource Pack available on the CaBA website.

Citizen Science and Volunteer Monitoring

It isn’t an exhaustive guide, but it does provide a collection of useful links, contacts, technical references and case studies which other CaBA partnerships have used and shared, including details of different types of monitoring kit.

You might also want to take a look at some of the presentations from the recent Catchment Data and Evidence Forum, in particular this presentation by Westcountry Rivers Trust about their citizen science monitoring programme.

Kind Regards

Lucy

[Author]

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