Volunteers Needed for Florida Keys Water Watch Program

Florida Keys Water Watch provides free training to volunteers on how to collect water quality data from the manmade canals of the Florida Keys. For Editorial Use Only.
Florida Keys Water Watch provides free training to volunteers on how to collect water quality data from the manmade canals of the Florida Keys.

Volunteers are needed for Florida Keys Water Watch (FKWW), an educational program developed by The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the Monroe County Extension Service. Volunteers receive free training and equipment to collect water quality data from the more than 170 miles of manmade canals throughout the island chain.

On Big Pine Key, Shelly Krueger of the Monroe County Extension Service's Sea Grant Program trains Patricia Collins (left) on how to collect water samples for the Florida Keys Water Watch program.
On Big Pine Key, Shelly Krueger of the Monroe County Extension Service’s Sea Grant Program trains Patricia Collins (left) on how to collect water samples for the Florida Keys Water Watch program.

Florida Keys Water Watch is designed to raise awareness of the importance of water quality, which has been adversely affected by development. Beginning in the 1950s, canals were dug out to create waterfront property and road material for the Overseas Highway. Unfortunately, many of these canals were dug too deep or too long, with not enough flow to keep the water moving. Currently, 26% of the canals are considered in “poor” condition.

Because of poor water quality in the canals, it is important to provide data and analysis to inform residents about different ways they can improve the water in their canals. Water quality is a measure of the ability of the water to support human uses, including fishing and swimming, and to support healthy habitat for marine life (fish, lobsters, etc.) and wildlife, including shorebirds. If residents understand what causes poor water quality in their canals, they will be more likely to take action to help improve the water quality.

Volunteer Dr. Walt Fahey collects water samples on Conch Key as part of the Florida Keys Water Watch program. For Editorial Use Only.
Volunteer Dr. Walt Fahey collects water samples on Conch Key as part of the Florida Keys Water Watch program.

Florida Keys Water Watch was established in October 2014, with funding from the Environmental Protection Agency, and emphasizes the connections between land uses and the impacts on aquatic health. We teach people to “treat your canal like your pool” – if you would not put it in your pool, do not put it in your canal! This includes items like grass clippings, fish carcasses and motor oil. We also teach residents how to test their canal for dissolved oxygen, salinity, pH and temperature. We provide the equipment for free to citizens, teachers and students in Monroe County.

Since March 2015, FKWW has trained 303 people (113 adults, 186 students and 4 teachers) during free 4-hour workshops. Volunteers have adopted 48 sites from Key West to Key Largo and entered 331 data entries with an estimated economic value of $9,329.00 to the state of Florida. To become a volunteer for Florida Keys Water Watch, please contact the Monroe County Extension Service at 305-292-4501 or email Shelly Krueger, program coordinator at [email protected]. To learn more about the program, go to http://monroe.ifas.ufl.edu/environment/florida_keys_water_watch.shtml.

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