Water quality surveys
Our citizen scientists have been collecting important water quality data to help us understand where improvements could be made.
The Chess Smarter Water Catchment project is collecting a range of data from its various water quality citizen science surveys, which can tell us all about chemicals in the River Chess, help us understand sources of sediment input and also provide us with information on water flow rates throughout the year and over time.
Water quality sensors
We have sondes carrying numerous sensors out in six locations throughout the River Chess, recording data for temperature, turbidity, electrical conductivity and more. These have been recording data since 2019 and need constant care to make sure they don’t get covered in algae, sediment, leaves or get repurposed as crayfish homes! We are always on the look-out for additional maintenance help, or if you are data-savvy, maybe you might like to help out with data interpretation…?
Click here to see our River Chess storymap with links to our water quality data dashboard, created by one of our very talented citizen scientists, Hefin Rhys.
Flow monitoring
Citizen scientists have been out measuring water flow rates in the Chess since 2016. As part of the Smarter Water Catchment initiative, we are able to build a bigger picture of the health of the River Chess using this data… whilst also adding to it! We are definitely in need of more people to help with this vital monthly citizen science survey.
Emerging chemicals of concern
Also known as our ‘Emerging Contaminants’ surveys, these surveys are conducted entirely by our citizen scientists. Through this method, we can determine concentrations of up to 200 chemicals in water samples collected monthly from various locations along the River Chess. The data collected complements data that our researchers are also collecting more infrequently, using 3D printed passive sampler dots to detect the presence of up to 2,500 chemicals in the river.
MudSpotter
MudSpotter is a brand new investigative technique that we’ve so far been piloting in Chesham, looking for sources of sediment input to the River Chess in an urban environment. These wet weather surveys involve walking along the course of the river, using a mobile phone (or paper sheets) to instantly record data and images online. We’re hoping to roll this survey method out to the lower Chess, Rickmansworth, area in due course… please let us know if you’d like to help with this.
NOSES
Our Nutrient Ongoing Scrutiny Evaluation Survey (NOSES) is a brand new survey method that we have designed to explore nutrient concentrations (nitrate and phosphate) in the lower Chess between Sarratt Bottom and Rickmansworth. We’re aiming to host one-off surveys days during dry weather periods to test water samples throughout this stretch of river and determine where sources of increased nutrients to the River Chess might be coming from.
Register your interest
Does what we’re doing sound like something you’d like to get involved with?
We’re keen to hear from you if you would like to help us carry out citizen science surveys, or if you are a landowner who would like to host surveys on your section of the River Chess.
Register your interest below and we’ll get back in touch to talk about the next steps.
Get in touch
The Smarter Water Catchment initiative was designed to involve the local community in any way possible.
Contact our Citizen Science Coordinator, Hannah, to ask any questions, make suggestions or leave comments about our citizen science surveys throughout the Chess catchment.
Get involved
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