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Blue Water Task Force
Our Science-Based Approach
The Blue Water Task Force is Surfrider’s volunteer water quality monitoring program that provides critical water quality information to protect public health at the beach. Surfrider chapters use this program to raise awareness of local pollution problems and to bring together communities to implement solutions.
Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) labs measure fecal indicator bacteria levels in recreational waters and compare them to water quality standards set to protect public health. Chapter-run BWTF programs fill in the gaps and extend the coverage of agency-run beach monitoring programs by sampling ocean and bay beaches, estuaries and potential freshwater sources of pollution such as stormwater outlets, rivers and creeks that discharge onto the beach.
Our 2022 Oʻahu BWTF Water Quality Report
Each year the Oʻahu Chapter compiles an annual report of our findings on local water quality. In it you can find detailed information about how we conduct water testing, where we conduct our testing and the data we've collected.
In 2022, trained BWTF volunteers sampled 24 sites. During this time period, 495 samples were collected, generating water quality information for recreational waters along the island's North, South, East, and West shores. Samples are processed at Kewalo's Marine Lab.
Our BWTF team maintains a regular two week interval between sampling and will sample both after rain events and during Brown Water Advisories
(barring dangerous conditions). This ensures that the BWTF data set
captures water quality information during both wet and dry conditions. This
data allows us to gain a more comprehensive understanding of water quality conditions on Oʻahu.
View Your Local Water Quality
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Water quality testing provided by Surfrider's {{info.name}} Chapter
Our Local Program
Surfrider Foundation Oʻahu performs water quality testing of over 20 beaches, stream mouths and other coastal recreation sites across the island. Sampling occurs bi-weekly throughout the year.
Our BWTF data augments the beach monitoring program conducted by the Hawai'i Department of Health to ensure that our communities are aware of potential health threats at the beach. Our data also helps target areas for further investigation into sources of pollution such as wastewater failures, cesspools, and stormwater runoff, so solutions can be put in place.
If you are interested in becoming a BWTF volunteer, please contact bwtf@oahu.surfrider.org
