One of the main findings of our Water Quality Community Consensus Report
was the limited amount of data on the tributaries feeding into the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers. Understanding water quality across these less examined watersheds helps to inform advocates and communities seeking to address point source pollution and stormwater runoff issues.
In response, the Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory and the Allegheny County Conservation District conducted a countywide Watershed Sampling Day on May 6th, 2023. Through this effort, nearly 40 volunteers were trained to collect water samples at 44 tributaries of interest. These samples were collected, returned to Pitt, and processed at the University.
Initial results were published and available to volunteers on an interactive storymap in the summer of 2023. In February 2024, the storymap was updated to include new analyses including Bromide, Chloride, Fluoride, and Sulfate. This project, while only providing a limited "snapshot" of one day, highlights the need to enhance the monitoring of nutrients, metals, and emerging contaminants in our waterways. We hope this report draws further attention to the need for more informed water resource management in our region.
Thank you to the Hillman Foundation for supporting this effort.