Water Quality Testing Workshop

[skip]

The NACD is considering a field test kit for water quality testing. The idea is to develop a test kit that allows quick and dirty testing of water so that if a cave diver becomes suspicious about water quality, he/she could contact the NACD and arrange to have the water tested. If the quick and dirty tests suggest a problem, then more detailed and expensive tests can be done, authorities alerted, etc.

The test kit is ready, more or less. I plan to conduct a workshop on how to do the tests October 14 at 10am at Peacock III. I'll have the tests and equipment and will be showing how to do the tests, record the data, etc.
I can not cave dive due to ear problems, but I can instruct and you all can go do the dive and collect the samples. The tests include nitrate, nitrite, e coli, ph, temp, turbidity, and critter counts (and maybe one or two more I forget at the moment). The water can be sampled at the surface, the boil, or anywhere inside the cave.

Everyone is welcome, but please pm me if you plan to attend so I have a rough idea of what to expect.

-skip

[sandy]

see pm

[Kelly Jessop]

(and maybe one or two more I forget at the moment).

What about DO?

What about DO?

I think things such as doggie do would be covered under e. coli tests. :D

[Kelly Jessop]

What about DO?

I think things such as doggie do would be covered under e. coli tests. :D

Dissolved oxygen

I don't see much doggie do in the caves I dive in,but I see a lot of catfish fecal remnants. Ever wonder why the cat skat room in Devil's got its name?

[skip]

I can not find a cheap and easy test for dissolved oxygen. it is one of the biggies, but also expensive. biological oxygen demand and total phosphates are the other two not included.

Any suggestions?

I've already incorporated your (KJ) method of counting crayfish, catfish, amphi/isopods, sunfish and added doing bug counts on the surrounding surface area.

[thanks again for the sample data from 2006 - I made nice little charts in Excel showing which critters are more/less dominant where as samples and handouts.]

Maybe you can join us Sunday (10/14, 10am) - your experience and knowledge would be most appreciated.

-skip

[REastman]

Watch eBay for a used hydrolab. They do show up from time to time.

[chimie007]

I can not find a cheap and easy test for dissolved oxygen. it is one of the biggies, but also expensive. biological oxygen demand and total phosphates are the other two not included.

Any suggestions?

I've already incorporated your (KJ) method of counting crayfish, catfish, amphi/isopods, sunfish and added doing bug counts on the surrounding surface area.

[thanks again for the sample data from 2006 - I made nice little charts in Excel showing which critters are more/less dominant where as samples and handouts.]

Maybe you can join us Sunday (10/14, 10am) - your experience and knowledge would be most appreciated.

-skip

Skip,

Lamotte makes a DO kit that is good for about 50 tests. It cost about $46-47 at Cole-Palmer or VWR.

http://www.lamotte.com/pages/common/pdf/instruct/7414.pdf

CHEMets has a phosphate kit to do 30 test for about $56 again from Cole-Palmer.

http://www.chemtech-usa.com/chemets.htm

[skip]

I've added Dissolved Oxygen Test and the Phosphate Test. Lamotte's site had a rather involved, glove-wearing, acid pouring, titration procedure at a reasonable price, but the steps were not volunteer or field friendly. However, Ben Meadows (also carries LaMotte) had a CHEMest kit with premeasured reagents and contained mixing method - simple and no-spill.

CHEMest kit also came for Phosphate test. Price was under $50.00 each with enough stuff for 15 tests and reorder supplie kits for half that.

thanks!

-skip

[sandy]

My seventh grade daughter has a science fair project ths year. She is thinking about testing water from the Flint River here in Georgia. Would this kit work for this purpose? Are the testing procedures self-explanatory? Unfortuneately, I will be out of town during the class at Peacock or we would attend. Thanks for your help.

[skip]

Yes, the kit would be ideal for that. I am hoping it is self-explanatory, but I'll find out at the workshop, which is a "test" of the equipment and instructions for those who have never seen it - to see if they can do the tests based on the instructions and diagrams. The main goals have been to make it easy and safe (no harsh chemicals, no danger of splatters in eyes) and self-explanatory, so that anyone could check it out like a library book, do the tests, record the data, and return the kit.

So far is the one kit, the prototype, but it may be possible for me to drop it off in Georgia with you or near to you on one of my trips through, or maybe the NACD will have more kits available by the time you need one. If things work smoothly the 14th, then we begin putting more kits together; if things don't work so well, then it's back to the drawing board!

You can also check with benmeadows.com and lamotte.com for student education kits that are good for school projects and are reasonably priced (stand alone, one shot testing, rather than multiple testing with refillable supplies). I've seen some kits that are age-appropriate and include all kinds of additional informational material on the what and how and why.

-skip

[sandy]

Thanks Skip, Those sites are helpful. I live in Moultrie, GA, about 45 minutes NE of Valdosta (2 hours from Peacock). If you come down I-75, I could meet you somewhere on the interstate. If available in time, I may buy a kit for my daughter to use, and I could use later for cave water samples. I'll keep in touch with you.

Have a good week.

[sandy]

Hey Skip,

Are the kits ready? If so, how can I get one in the next few days? Thanks for your help.

[skip]

No, the test kits are not ready. there is some doubt about the value of the NACD getting involved in water quality testing. there are so many conservation groups doing it and in florida the state's springs initiative is conducting regular sampling of the major springs.... Nonetheless, I am about to make a formal request to the NACD for funding at least one kit, but that won't happen for a two or three months (next bod meeting).

I have the only kit, the prototype, and if I could get it to you I would. It's in a large pelican case, weighs only a little more than the pelican case empty. Know anyone in the Nashville area heading your way in the next few days? They can pick it up from me and deliver to you. The contained instructions are pretty simple and easily followed.

I am hoping to be passing through your area on thanksgiving day, but it's not for sure yet. probably too late?

-skip

[rchrds]

No, the test kits are not ready. there is some doubt about the value of the NACD getting involved in water quality testing. there are so many conservation groups doing it and in florida the state's springs initiative is conducting regular sampling of the major springs.... Nonetheless, I am about to make a formal request to the NACD for funding at least one kit, but that won't happen for a two or three months (next bod meeting).

I have the only kit, the prototype, and if I could get it to you I would. It's in a large pelican case, weighs only a little more than the pelican case empty. Know anyone in the Nashville area heading your way in the next few days? They can pick it up from me and deliver to you. The contained instructions are pretty simple and easily followed.

I am hoping to be passing through your area on thanksgiving day, but it's not for sure yet. probably too late?

-skip

Skip- I may be in the panhandle starting thursday night, and possibly the FCS meeting in Alachua. Plans not set yet (diving is too good up here) but may be happening. Let me know if you want me to ferry something.

jason

[sandy]

Skip- I may be in the panhandle starting thursday night, and possibly the FCS meeting in Alachua. Plans not set yet (diving is too good up here) but may be happening. Let me know if you want me to ferry something.

Hey Jason, Skip asked me to PM you. Having some computer issues but hopefully you will have it soon.

[sandy]

Skip, I am late getting to you but if it is not too late, this weekend or next will work. Let me know if we can work something out. Thanks for your help.