Arizona Water Watch
Expanding impacts of water science using volunteers and creative media
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality's (ADEQ's) award-winning citizen science program, Arizona Water Watch, helps communities across the state collaborate with water quality scientists to better protect Arizona's lakes, rivers and streams.
Since the program launch in 2017, Arizona Water Watch volunteers have relied on an online volunteer toolkit to help collect tens of thousands of water quality samples across the state. This digital hub of branded resources allows ADEQ scientists and volunteers to stay connected. Their efforts have led to water quality improvements in several key areas, resulting in the removal of three waters from the "Impaired Waters List." Citizen volunteers turn passion into practice, doing the work because they care about their communities and the environment in which they live.
Seeing its success in action, dozens of other states' environmental agencies and volunteer organizations have asked to be able to adopt and adapt Arizona Water Watch's branded resources and survey app coding for their own citizen science programs. The program has been eager to help its peer programs who have reached out, as the tools were built to be shared.
Citizen Science Making a Big Difference
Waterbodies removed from the Impaired Waters List due to Arizona Water Watch volunteer efforts:
• Aravaipa Creek
• Sonoita Creek
• Verde River (for 1 of 2 contaminants)
In 2019, volunteers:
• Clocked more than 3,100 hours
• Collected 6,500 water data records
• Submitted 1,268 times with the mobile app
• Helped identify a new waterbody to address for E. coli
Recognized by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey for piloting a new method for the City of Buckeye to meet visual stormwater permit requirements.
Online Volunteer Toolkit
Digital Handbook | A great central resource for Arizona Water Watch volunteers, the 2020 Volunteer Handbook outlines methods and protocols for data collection, ensuring volunteers collect high quality credible data that can be used by ADEQ and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It also directs readers to all forms, checklists, data submission portals, and animated video traning.
Animated Video Training | To meet credible data standards, volunteers undergo training refreshers annually. These training sessions previously required recurring staff travel time and manpower that Arizona Water Watch simply didn't have. So, from 2018 to 2020, Arizona Water Watch worked with ADEQ's communications team to launch a series of 12 short, animated video lessons reviewing each procedure, providing the information necessary for volunteers to maintain proper data collection standards.
Submissions on the Go | The Arizona Water Watch mobile app and surveys allow any resident or visitor of Arizona to submit photos and information about ephemeral streams, such as the presence of trash and fecal waste, all while they are out hiking, swimming, fishing or otherwise recreating.
Field Guides | For trained volunteers, field data forms and sampling guides can be brought along to help volunteers through the steps of collecting and recording water quality data safely and accurately.
Buttons and Certificates | Each year, ADEQ shows its appreciation by awarding Arizona Water Watch branded buttons and certificates to volunteers to display their achievements in citizen science.
Outreach for Protecting Our Waters | Arizona Water Watch spreads its reach to get all kinds of people involved in protecting our waters, at any level of engagement - from casual recreators to committed environmentalists. Those without the time or means to commit to volunteer training can still get involved at any level. Since 2018, the program teamed up with the Communications team to produce creative animated video ads, launch social media campaigns and target press releases that have led to media outlets amplifying the message to new audiences, increasing participation in cleanup and protective activities.
