Sixty Waterwatch community monitors across north central Victoria have been participating in a series of workshops to test their skills and the accuracy of their data.    

The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) facilitates the annual workshop which is hosted by Waterwatch Victoria’s Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) program. QA/QC week is important as it provides confidence in the data collected by the monitors.   

Cass Davis, Regional Waterwatch coordinator with the North Central CMA, said the QA/QC program is a state-wide water quality assurance testing program that provides technical support to community monitors who collect vital information on water quality in our rivers, streams and wetlands.   

“This data is used to make important decisions regarding how best to protect and enhance the integrity of our catchments in north central Victoria.   

“Our community monitors test mystery samples during the workshops providing them with the opportunity to check the accuracy of their equipment and the skills and methods they use.   

“The results from the tests are sent to Waterwatch Victoria’s laboratory for analysis. A laboratory report is generated for each participant detailing their results.  Last year the pass rate was extremely high for the North Central Waterwatch monitors, and I am confident of a good result this year.   

“Monitors now have access to some new equipment, such as electrical conductivity meters, to ensure continued accuracy of the data they collect.   

“Over the coming weeks I will visit monitors to discuss their laboratory results and undertake follow up shadow testing to identify if any of the equipment being used is faulty,” Ms Davis said.   

The North Central CMA Waterwatch program aims to increase community understanding of river and wetland health issues, while encouraging communities to take ownership of their local waterways.   

Community volunteers and North Central Waterwatch staff are involved in monitoring water quality in local waterways across north central Victoria. Monitors include Landcare group members, broadacre farmers, hobby farmers, school teachers, young mothers, and even a retired policeman.

For further information please contact: 

Communications Officer, North Central CMA
PO Box 18, Huntly VIC 3551
t: 03 5448 7124
e: info@nccma.vic.gov.au