MCMC WaterWatch held workshops for our volunteers in Autumn 2023 to revise and increase volunteers' skills and understanding of water quality testing, biological monitoring and assessment waterway ecological health. 

The suite of free workshops included:

• Interpreting Waterwatch data and entering it on the website;
• Training for new monitors and those requiring a refresher;
• Shadow sampling
• Waterbug census on Edgars Creek with Friends of Edwardes Lake;
• Waterbug census on Merri Creek, Coburg.

More information is available on the WaterWatch Community Portal. Thanks to Melbourne Water and the Cities of Darebin and Merri-bek which funded the workshops.

In February, 11 Waterwatch monitors participated in the first Quality Assurance Quality Control (QAQC) Shadow sampling event together since Covid restrictions were lifted. The event was held on the banks of Merri Creek in Brunswick East. All volunteers participated in their regular WaterWatch groups and tested the water quality of Merri Creek, alongside MCMC's WaterWatch Coordinator. Results were compared and discussed. QAQC is an important process of the WaterWatch and EstuaryWatch programs. It offers a mechanism to build confidence in the data collected, and ensure that the public can access the data, via the WaterWatch Community Portal. The event also provides an opportunity to connect and discuss methodologies and equipment with other WaterWatchvolunteers and builds individual confidence in articulating findings and drawing conclusions.   

The Feedback from the event was very positive, with many volunteers enjoying connecting with other WaterWatch groups and increasing their skill levels in WaterWatch methodogies. 

Thank you to Melbourne Water for funding these events, and the City of Merri-bek & the City of Darebin for part funding the Waterbug cenus events.