How often do I need to complete the KRWW training course?

You should attend a Phase I Training Workshop every two years to remain current on sampling protocols and other KRWW procedures.  The Phase I workshop provides instruction on field chemistry sampling and grab sampling (for pesticides, pathogens, nutrients, metals, etc.).  The Phase II workshop explains how to conduct a stream site assessment and habitat and biological sampling.

How often do I need to replace my sampling chemicals and how will I receive them?

Your sampling chemicals should be replaced every two years.  Since you should also be recertified to sample every two years by attending a sampling training workshop, you will receive replacement chemicals at the workshop.  KRWW organizers will also track chemical replacement needs and should notify you when you need new chemicals.  If necessary, they can be mailed to you with your sampling materials.

What happens with my sampling results?

They are compiled by KRWW organizers and sent out to volunteers via e-mail.  Then, they are posted on the KRWW website and forwarded to the KGS-managed KRWW online database, which is also hosted on the KRWW website.

How can I find out who else is sampling in my watershed/area?  (ask Area Coordinator)

The notebooks that you receive at the training workshops contain a list of other active KRWW samplers and include the watersheds in which they sample.  You can reference this list to find out who else samples in your particular watershed.

Also, your Area Coordinator receives updated listings of other samplers in your watershed or other nearby watersheds and can pass that information along to you.  The list of Area Coordinators is posted on the KRWW website on the Contacts page.

How can I Report a Water Quality or Other Environmental Concern?

Citizens can contact the Environmental Response Team hotline at the Division of Water at 1-800-928-2380 to log a complaint or report knowledge of an environmental problem.  The Kentucky Division of Water also has 10 Regional Offices located throughout the state.  Regional Office staff can field questions about local water quality issues and investigate specific problems.  Complaints may be made anonymously, but they preclude investigation progress reports. 

To identify which Regional Office you should contact, find the county of concern on the Division of Water’s website at http://www.water.ky.gov/homepage_repository/dwctab.htm.
For environmental emergencies such as spills of gas, oil or other substances, you should also contact the Environmental Response Team at 1-800-928-2380 or 502-564-2380.

What can I do now that I have some water quality sampling results?

1. Compare the results with any existing state or federal water quality standards.
2. Look at results from other KRWW sampling sites in your local watershed.
3. Graph annual results to illustrate any trends that may be occurring with your data.
4. Develop a more focused sampling plan with multiple sampling locations in order to better pinpoint the stream’s pollutant sources;
5. Recruit additional KRWW samplers in the area, or encouraging local schools to start a Water Watch sampling program;
6. Try to find other water quality data from local universities, the Kentucky Division of Water, local health departments, city/county government, or other sources.
7. Work with other interested citizens and local officials (if possible) to assess the data and potential land use contributions.
8. Develop a Citizen Action Plan to guide water quality improvement efforts.
9. Consider potential grant opportunities for water quality education projects, riparian tree plantings, stream cleanups, or other water quality projects.  The Kentucky River Authority offers grants of up to $3,000 for such projects.  For more info on the Kentucky River Authority’s Watershed Grant Program, visit http://www.uky.edu/OtherOrgs/KRWW/KRAGrantProgram.htm
10. Find and enhance a public access point or trail for visitors to appreciate the stream, river or lake.  With greater appreciation, will likely come greater willingness to do things that will improve and protect it.
11. Consider speaking to local school groups, community groups or other organizations about your stream, potential issues that need to be addressed, and ways that they can appreciate it and help protect it
12. Investigate opportunities for more responsible development, or Low Impact Development, in your community.  These practices have the potential to enhance quality of life, increase property values, and minimize impacts to local natural resources.  The Southeast Watershed Forum and Center for Watershed Protection are two good sources of information on these practices.
13. Attend related workshops and conferences to become better informed, including the annual KRWW Conference on January 23, 2010.

How can I make a suggestion to the KRWW Steering Committee for improving our organization?

You may contact any of the Steering Committee members, Officers or other KRWW organizers, whose names and e-mail addresses are posted on the Contact KRWW page of the website.