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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.

View Your Local Water Quality

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Our Local Program

Surfrider Foundation Eastern Long Island, the Concerned Citizens of Montauk and Peconic Baykeeper partner to perform year-round water quality testing of over 70 sites across the East End. The Blue Water Task Force team monitors a variety of areas popular with recreational users including ocean and bay beaches, estuaries, harbors and coastal ponds. Sampling occurs weekly during the summer, biweekly during the fall and spring, and monthly during the winter. 

Our BWTF data augments the seasonal beach program conducted by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services and informs placement of pollution solutions. 

If you are interested in becoming a BWTF volunteer, please contact jschwerzmann@easternli.surfrider.org

Everyone deserves access to clean water to surf, swim and play in.

Meet the Blue Water Task Force

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