What is World Water Monitoring Month (WWMM)?

This annual event is an international outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world. Held annually between September 18 and October 18, the program engages communities in monitoring the condition of local rivers, streams, estuaries and other water bodies. Since its inception in 2002, more than 80,000 people have participated in 50 countries.

The San Diego Regional Watershed Monitoring Consortium (SDCWMC) facilitates and coordinates water monitoring activities throughout the region. For World Water Monitoing Day, we arrange the following to foster K-12 student participation in this month-long event:

provide testing equipment / "kits"
help with identifying local sites that are easy to get to and publicly accessible
provide funding for buses to get to the local streams and waterways to participate
collect all results and publish them on our website

How to get involved and participate in WWMM:

Please visit the following pages to learn more about how to participate in World Water Monitoring Month Activities:

7 easy steps to participate
Forms Library
- Registration form
- Release of liability form (required before receiving event kits - San Diego, CA only)
- Bus reimbursement form
  (San Diego, CA only)
Information of how to select a site
Informational Brochure (PDF)

Citizen Water Monitoring Events:

San Diego Coastkeeper facilitates monthly Watershed Monitoring Trainings and Monitoring Events. We are in the process of gathering water chemistry data for each of the 11 coastal-draining watersheds in San Diego County. While in the field, we monitor temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and conductivity. We collect samples that are analyzed in the lab for: bacteria, nutrients and metals. The purpose of the monitoring is to independently assess surface water quality throughout the region, as urban run-off is the number one impacting factor on San Diego's coastal water quality. Understanding what's happening upstream is critical to protecting and restoring San Diego's coastal resources.

In order to participate, you must be 18 or over, or have a parent or guardian accompany you on these activities.

For more information, please visit our Volunteer Opportunities page, or San Diego Coastkeeper's website at www.sdcoastkeeper.org. World Water Monitoring Day Media Events (by invitation only) - locations, press releases and event program details coming soon!