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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Water quality testing provided by Surfrider's {{info.name}} Chapter
Our Local Program
The Rincón Chapter runs their primary program (Aguada to Añasco coast) from the heart of Rincon. A second lab in Isabela monitors the stretch of coastline between Aguadilla and Isabela.
The chapter is a member of the Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System (CariCOOS) and provides water quality data and other ecosystems info to their website and database, as well as conducting frequent collaborative research.
The Rincón Chapter also played a key role in launching a BWTF lab at the Isla Verde Marine Reserve (La Reserva Marina Arrecife de la Isla Verde), just east of San Juan. That lab is run by Arrecifes Pro Ciudad, which samples and tests water quality at five sites within the reserve every week. You can check out those results here.
If you are interested in becoming a BWTF volunteer, please contact surfriderfoundationrincon@gmail.com