A new online tool called the Water Quality Index Calculator is available from KnowYourH2O that can be used globally to provide a ‘grade’ for surface water quality as part of a watershed monitoring, surface water monitoring and assessment program, citizen science, lake monitoring, or source water assessment tool. We are all familiar with the traditional A, B, C, D, F grading system provided by educational systems globally, but this tool is different! It applies similar ‘grading’ logic to nine specific water quality measurement variables as known determinants of quality. Unlike previous tools, this tool permits the use to enter secchi depth (disc) reading. Using this logic, we can quantify and grade surface waters in relation to one another across the globe using a standardized set of criteria.

Teams use this tool for:

• Watershed monitoring

• Surface Water monitoring

• Assessment programs

• Citizen Science and STEM Educational Programs

• Lake, Stream, and Reservoir Source water assessment monitoring

• Educating Children and Public Outreach on Environmental Issues, such as non-point source pollution, oil and gas development, stormwater management, AI Data Centers.

We want to keep providing this and other tools. Your donation ensures we can do so!

The Keystone Clean Water Team (KCWT) -Carbon County Groundwater Guardian Program (CCGG) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer, environmental education organization which provides homeowners with information on private wells, water quality and quantity, and septic systems. We are dedicated to protecting private well owners from illnesses caused by our drinking water and was part of the Groundwater Guardian Program. We advance good groundwater stewardship by raising awareness on a variety of groundwater issues that affects everyone with a private water supply. We can help you get your water tested at the lab of your choice and explain the test results.

One of our efforts has been to educate and inform citizens scientists, private well owners, and surface water users about the connection between surface water (our lakes, streams, and wetlands) and groundwater. With the help of Know Your H20 Team and the Know Your H20 Program, we helped to develop and promote the Water Quality Index Calculator for Surface Water . The tool is currently being used by citizen scientists and others in over 30 different countries. The tool is made available for FREE. The tool converts readily measurable water quality data into a score or rank to be able to easily evaluate and describe the quality of the surface water resource.

We are looking for funding support to convert the data that has been collected by the tool into a free geospatial tool that would be available for public access and to create a Global Directory of Citizen Scientist Teams Conservation Groups and Watershed Organizations and the Citizen Science Global Water Quality Database & Map that we will be making available as a shared public resource.