The James Needs YOU to be a Citizen Water Quality Monitor

Many portions of the James River and tributaries are currently impaired due to excessive harmful bacteria. And for those who swim or recreate in the River, bacteria is an invisible pollutant that can pose serious health threats. One of the most common questions JRA receives from the public, is whether it is safe to swim in certain parts of the James River. 

JRA is launching a new water quality monitoring initiative across the James River watershed. JRA needs your help as a citizen scientist, collecting water samples and recording data to track the environmental health of the River. JRA will introduce you to the types of harmful bacteria, and provide an overview of sampling methods and analysis. Volunteers will also learn to collect turbidity and temperature data from the field. Sampling will occur weekly from May to September, and data will be made available to the public on JRA's James River Watch website (thejamesriver.org/jrw). 

No monitoring or science background is required. JRA will assign volunteers to sampling teams, and work with each volunteer to help establish a sampling schedule that fits individual schedules/availability. Volunteers already participating in JRA's RiverRat project may count their water monitoring work as an "action project."

Sampling Locations:

Jamestown Beach, Williamsburg
City Point, Hopewell
Hollywood Rapids, Richmond
Rope swing beach at Tredagar, Richmond
Pipeline Rapids, Richmond
42nd Street access point, Richmond
DGIF Public Landing, Scottsville
7th Street Boat landing, Lynchburg
DGIF Public landing, Buchanan
14th Street Access Point, Richmond
Pocahontas Island Canoe Launch, Petersburg

For more information contact Amber Ellis at (804)788-8811 ext 205 or volunteer@jrava.org