[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Written By: Laura Cooley and Sergio Ruiz Cordova, AUWRC<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/03\/Monitoreo-Comunitario_Zanotti_252-scaled.jpg” alt=”Example of stream bank erosion” title_text=”Monitoreo Comunitario_Zanotti_252″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Sergio Ruiz-Cordova and Global Water Watch partners in Chile train 100 water monitors over the course of 2 years. Photo credit: Filipe Zanotti.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Global Water Watch is celebrating having 100 trained water monitors in Chile over two years. Learning about rivers, water, <\/span>biodiversity,<\/span> and natural resources changes people\u2019s attitudes about why their actions matter locally, and what they can do to make a difference.<\/span> Having data about water quality helps citizens advocate for the improvement of their drinking water quality and public health.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Sergio Ruiz-Cordova, Associate Director of Global Water Watch<\/a>, has been coordinating with colleagues across the globe for years in an effort to bring citizen science water monitoring to new areas. Learn more about their work below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”48px” custom_padding=”||9px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n What is Global<\/span> Water Watch?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”7px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Global Water Watch is a voluntary network of affiliated community-based water monitoring groups across the world. The goal of GWW, much like Alabama Water Watch<\/a>, is to foster watershed stewardship through citizen volunteer monitoring of surface waters to improve water quality and public health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Although GWW has representatives all over the globe, it is housed in part in the Auburn University Water Resources Center. You can find their newest blog posts here.<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/03\/MonitoreoAguas_1-scaled.jpg” alt=”Saraland High School students participated in an activty called Alabama River Mapping with AWW Staff, Mona Dominguez, Sergio RuizCordova, and Carolina Ruiz.” title_text=”MonitoreoAguas_1″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Chilean water monitors were trained in GWW’s first trip to Chile back in 2022. Photo credit: Filipe Zanotti<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”48px” custom_padding=”0px||9px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A Global Need for Citizen Science Water Monitors<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”7px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n People, particularly in the developing world, often do not have access to the quantity and quality of water they need. GWW trains residents of the watershed and assists them in obtaining monitoring supplies to take an active part in stream surveys and monitoring programs that will provide baseline water resource data.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Citizen groups can reach a greater number of sites, collect a greater number of samples, sample with greater frequency and responsibility and also find water quality trends once the data is integrated in an efficient database. Once collected, this information can be presented in a variety of forms that can be accessible by multiple interest groups, including teachers, policy-makers, the scientific community and the public in general.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-30px||-75px|||” custom_padding=”1px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||1px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/03\/GWW-Chile-Trip-02.png” alt=”Example of stream bank erosion” title_text=”GWW Chile Trip-02″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/03\/GWW-Chile-Trip-01.png” alt=”Example of stream bank erosion” title_text=”GWW Chile Trip-01″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Global Water Watch returned to Chile in 2023 to train monitors in three locations. Photo credit: Google Maps adapted by Laura Cooley<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”48px” custom_padding=”0px||9px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Global Water Watch Returns to Chile<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n In 2023, Sergio and his GWW partners were able to host several training sessions in Chile<\/span>. These trainings <\/span><\/span><\/span>resulted in recertification in bacteriological, water chemistry monitoring and biomonitoring for 20 monitors, as well as certification of 24 new monitors in Laja and 42 new monitors in Tom\u00e9. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Sergio also participated in the first in-person meeting of a group called Red CAMCPA (Red Continental Americana de Monitoreo Comunitario Participativo Del Agua) in the city of Villarrica, Chile.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Working to Restore Rivers, Lakes, and Wetlands<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Red CAMCPA was formed in 2021 to unite conservation actors and organizations to conserve and restore the rivers, lakes, and wetlands of the American Continents through participatory community-based water monitoring and a collaborative exchange of experiences and knowledge. From North America to the tip of South America, the network seeks to influence the educational and public policy spheres, helping people make sound, science-based decisions and actions that may result in healthier ecosystems and the equitable and sustainable use of water resources. Representatives from US, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Peru and Chile attended the meeting to learn in more detail about other groups citizen science initiatives, knowledge, and shared experiences to see how they could better collaborate and learn from one another.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Various water monitoring methodologies were also demonstrated in Lake Villarrica and in the Trancura River. Global Water Watch shared the environmental monitoring approach that is currently used by AWW, which has made of the program a national and international model to simulate regarding successful citizen science, citizen-based water monitoring and watershed stewardship. The Red CAMCPA is continuing to have regular virtual meetings and is looking into funding options to reinforce efforts of multiple partners and to organize a second in-person meeting in early 2025 in Costa Rica.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/03\/IMG-20231115-WA0171.jpg” alt=”Saraland High School students participated in an activty called Alabama River Mapping with AWW Staff, Mona Dominguez, Sergio RuizCordova, and Carolina Ruiz.” title_text=”Sergio at Red CAMCPA” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Sergio Ruiz-Cordova presents at Red CAMCPA meeting in 2023. Photo Credit: Photo credit: Filipe Zanotti.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/03\/20231125_165122-scaled.jpg” alt=”Example of stream bank erosion” title_text=”Water Monitors in Chile” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Students learn bacteriological and chemical water testing methods. Photo credit: Photo credit: Filipe Zanotti.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”48px” custom_padding=”0px||9px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 1. First Stop, Concepti\u00f3n<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Fundaci\u00f3n Manzana Verde (FMV) is the organization partnering with GWW in Chile, and they are based in the city of Concepci\u00f3n in the Biobio Region, south of the capital Santiago. GWW has been working with FMV \u00a0since 2022 when GWW 36 Chileans were certified at training sessions (pictured above) of the three most common water monitoring types promoted by GWW: \u00a0bacteriological monitoring, physical-chemical monitoring, and biomonitoring using aquatic macroinvertebrates. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In 2023, Sergio and the GWW team conducted recertification training for 20 Chilean monitors in bacteria monitoring, water chemistry monitoring, and biomonitoring. Most Chilean monitors are very active, monitoring on a regular basis. Six of these monitors were also certified as the first Chilean GWW Trainers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The new local GWW Trainers, with supervision of the GWW team, assisted conducting trainings of a second cohort of 66 Chilean monitors in the three types of GWW monitoring being conducted in the country.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/03\/Monitoreo-Comunitario_Zanotti_225-scaled.jpg” title_text=”Monitoreo Comunitario_Zanotti_225″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Students learn how microinvertebrates can be an indicator of water quality. Photo credit: Photo credit: Filipe Zanotti.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”48px” custom_padding=”0px||9px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 2. Laja<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Global<\/span> Water Watch <\/span><\/span>hosted <\/span>a 3-day <\/span>workshop<\/span> in<\/span> the city of<\/span> Laja, where 24 citizens <\/span>(11 of which were high school students)<\/span> were certified as new monitors in <\/span>water chemistry monitoring, bacteriological monitoring, and biomonitoring<\/span>. <\/span>Water chemistry and bacteriological monitoring <\/span>field work was conducted<\/span> at La<\/span> <\/span>Se\u00f1oraz<\/span>a<\/span> Lagoon<\/span>, the main tourist attraction of the area, wh<\/span>ile biom<\/span>onitoring was practi<\/span>c<\/span>ed at a<\/span> small stream flowing out of the lagoon.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”173px” custom_padding=”4px||9px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 3. Tome<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n In 2023 GWW returned to the location of the first water monitoring workshops in the Biobio region and with the first cohort of local trainers, certified 42 citizens as new GWW monitors in water chemistry monitoring, bacteriological monitoring, and biomonitoring training sessions in Tom\u00e9, with practice at the Estero Buenavista (See photos below).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Looking Ahead<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n After this visit to Chile, there are about 100 GWW monitors from over a dozen different communities in Chile. \u00a0To follow the work of Global Water Watch, <\/span>keep up with their blog,<\/a> or <\/span>contact Sergio Ruiz Cordova<\/a> with the AU <\/span>Water<\/span> Resources Center to learn more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/03\/Monitoreo-Comunitario_Zanotti_228-scaled.jpg” title_text=”Monitoreo Comunitario_Zanotti_228″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Students collect macroinvertebrates from stream to assess water quality by the type and quantity of macroinvertebrates present. Photo credit: Filipe Zanotti.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/03\/Monitoreo-Comunitario_Zanotti_227-scaled.jpg” title_text=”Monitoreo Comunitario_Zanotti_227″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Sergio Ruiz-Cordova works with students to assess the types of macroinvertebrates present and what they can indicate about water quality. Photo credit: Filipe Zanotti.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Written By: Laura Cooley and Sergio Ruiz Cordova, AUWRCSergio Ruiz-Cordova and Global Water Watch partners in Chile train 100 water monitors over the course of 2 years. 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