Life Depends on Water- who monitors water quality- national groups

Who Monitors Water Quality?

Many organizations monitor the health of a watershed over time to assess trends in water quality to make sure that the waters are safe enough to swim in, fish from or use for drinking or irrigating. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and many local, state, national and international groups monitor water quality.

Many organizations in the Cleveland regional area monitor water quality. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) monitors water quality. Volunteer certification for “Credible Data” for can be obtained through OEPA trainings.

	Who Monitors Intro

	National Groups

	Ohio Groups

	Career or Volunteer Opportunities

NE Ohio Watershed Groups

Big Creek
Black River
Chagrin River
Cuyahoga River RAP
Friends of Big Creek
Friends of the Crooked River
Doan Brook
Euclid Creek
Friends of Euclid Creek
Grand River
Ohio Lake Management Society
Rocky River
Tinkers Creek
West Creek

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Areas and Preserves monitors Scenic Rivers including the Chagrin, Cuyahoga and Grand Rivers in Northeastern Ohio.

In Cuyahoga County, both the Northeastern Ohio Regional Sewer District and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health monitor water quality in order to detect, fix and prevent sewer and septic systems from impacting water quality.

Watershed groups also monitor watershed health. These groups are made up of watershed residents volunteering to help their local watershed. Oftentimes, there is a watershed coordinator that organizes the programs.

Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts have stream monitoring equipment, training and programs to help organize local stream monitoring.

Local environmental organizations, park districts, and nature centers such as Earth Day Coalition,
Cleveland Metroparks, and the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes also monitor watershed health. In addition, many groups such as local universities, schools and scouts are also involved with water quality monitoring.



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