Support the AWW Monitor Assistance Program!

Who is Alabama Water Watch?

The Alabama Water Watch Association (AWWA) supports Alabama Water Watch (AWW), a citizen volunteer water quality monitoring program covering rivers, streams, lakes, bays, and coastal waters across Alabama. AWW’s network of trained Volunteer Monitors collects credible water quality data, reports pollution issues, and educates their communities about watershed stewardship.

Alabama Water Watch certifies Volunteer Monitors in Water Chemistry, Bacteriological, and Stream Biomonitoring.  

What is the Monitor Assistance Program (MAP)?

Water quality monitoring that follows AWW’s Quality Assurance Plans requires specialized equipment, including water chemistry test kits, incubators, pipettes, and rapid test cards for bacteriological monitoring. 

These materials can be expensive, and for many new and dedicated Volunteer Monitors, the cost becomes a barrier to conducting monitoring on waterbodies they value. 

What are typical materials costs? 

• New Water Chemistry Monitoring Test Kit: $400
• Full Chemical Refill: $150 
• Bacteriological Monitoring Supplies $180 (estimated one site for one year)
• Incubator for Bacteriological Monitoring: $100 
• Stream Biomonitoring Kit (1 kick-net, 1 d-frame net, bucket and viewers): $300

The Monitor Assistance Program (MAP) helps ensure that AWW volunteers have access to the materials and equipment required for water monitoring the waterbodies they love.

How MAP Helps

Through MAP, AWW can:  

• Provide essential supplies for water monitoring
• Replace expired chemical reagents and broken glassware so volunteers can maintain data quality
• Expand monitoring coverage to new sites in underserved areas in Alabama

How MAP Works

Through MAP, AWW provides qualified Volunteer Monitors with access to materials for Water Chemistry Monitoring, Bacteriological Monitoring, and Stream Biomonitoring. 

Why MAP Matters 

AWW Volunteers are a first alert for water quality issues in Alabama. They: 

• Monitor water quality in over 60% of Alabama counties
• Build awareness in their communities about how everyday actions affect water quality
• Help fill data gaps where state-funded monitoring cannot reach 

When you give to MAP, you are supporting the collection of water data that volunteer monitors, program partners, and the public can use to inform conservation and restoration projects, influence policy decisions, and safeguard the waters we all depend on.  

With your help, AWW can remove financial barriers and ensure that any Alabamians interested in Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring are able to access the supplies they need. 

What will your contribution go to?

Funds donated to MAP will be used for water quality monitoring supplies, which include: 

• Water Chemistry Monitoring Test Kits and Test Kit Refills
• Roth Biosciences R-Cards and Pipettes to detect E.coli and Other Coliforms
• Incubators for Bacteriological Monitoring
• Stream Biomonitoring materials such as nets and pans

Check out detailed information about the materials AWW Volunteers use on the Monitoring Supplies section of the Alabama Water Watch website:

https://aaes.auburn.edu/alabamawaterwatch/monitoring-supplies/