The Blue Water Task Force is Surfrider’s volunteer water quality monitoring program that provides critical water quality information to protect public health at the beach. Surfrider chapters use this program to raise awareness of local pollution problems and to bring together communities to implement solutions.
Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) labs measure fecal indicator bacteria levels in recreational waters and compare them to water quality standards set to protect public health. Chapter-run BWTF programs fill in the gaps and extend the coverage of agency-run beach monitoring programs by sampling ocean and bay beaches, estuaries and potential freshwater sources of pollution such as stormwater outlets, rivers and creeks that discharge onto the beach.
View Your Local Water Quality
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Water quality testing provided by Surfrider's {{info.name}} Chapter
Since the inception of the Blue Water Task Force program more than 25 years ago, Surfrider volunteers have been out in their communities testing water quality at the beach. Now a large national network with nearly 55 chapter-run labs, the Blue Water Task Force measures bacteria levels at more than 450 ocean, bay, estuary and freshwater sampling sites across the country. Surfrider chapters use this water testing program to raise awareness of local pollution problems and to bring together communities to implement solutions.
For more information or questions: Michelle Pena-Ortiz, Blue Water Task Force Manager mpenaortiz@surfrider.org
Everyone deserves access to clean water to surf, swim and play in.
Meet the Blue Water Task Force
We Need Local Volunteers!
Will you help relaunch our local Monterey County program?
You may have noticed that we haven't had someone leading our local water testing since 2019. We are seeking a couple of individuals to help get our Blue Water Task Force active once again. In the past, we've partnered with local schools to input the data.
Did you know the Santa Cruz chapter founded the Blue Water Task Force program? We need a couple of Monterey residents to help with water testing at our beaches. Are you interested? Reach out to us.
Contacts:
Jeff White | 252-202-1604 Antony Tersol | 831-204-0786 Peter Adame | 408-489-1806
