September 25, 2019
By Georgia Ackerman
Albany, Georgia– I spent the morning on the banks of the Flint River learning more about water quality sampling protocols with R.J. Gipaya, Watershed Specialist at Flint Riverkeeper. Last month, a visit to the lab at Chattahoochee Riverkeeper also proved helpful in seeing another program in action. AR board members Rebecca Jetton and Craig Diamond have spent significant time reviewing water quality monitoring programs as we build a framework for an independent program in our watershed.  
Pollution monitoring is a cornerstone to many waterkeeper organizations worldwide. Apalachicola Riverkeeper is a member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance. Related, Waterkeepers Florida (WF) works collaboratively on statewide issues of water quality and water policy. In August, the WF team met Florida Department of Environmental Protection officials in Orlando to advocate for more protective water quality standards. WF is committed to working together to stop pollution at its source. 
Apalachicola Riverkeeper was recently awarded partial funding from the Curtis & Edith Munson Foundation to embark on our water quality monitoring program. After Hurricane Michael last year, we wanted to know what water quality changes were occurring in the water due to the storm impact (from wind and flooding), including turbidity, dissolved oxygen and pollution at various points along the Apalachicola River and Chipola River. Fishkill along the lower Apalachicola and Dead Lakes was of significant concern. A water quality monitoring program will allow us to establish baseline data to document changes in parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity and nitrogen.  
Watch for more news on this program in coming weeks. To make a donation to support Apalachicola Riverkeeper’s water quality monitoring program, please click HERE.
All photos from the Flint River visit are HERE.
Special thanks to Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Flint Riverkeeper and Lake Worth Waterkeeper along with Craig Diamond and Rebecca Jetton for the on-going assistance in program framework.
Georgia Ackerman is Riverkeeper and Executive Director of Apalachicola Riverkeeper.Â