The Official Blog of Alabama Water Watch
We would like to thank everyone who attended the 2019 Alabama Water Watch Annual Meeting on June 22, 2019. As always, it was a pleasure to be able to catch up and chat with each of you about the great work you’ve been doing. Below, you will find a quick recap of the groups of individuals awarded honors for their exemplary work this year.
Thanks to everyone who was able to gather for the 2019 AWW Annual Meeting at Blakeley State Park in Spanish Fort, AL! As always, it was a great opportunity to fellowship and hear about all of the great work AWW Volunteers are doing throughout the state.
Here are a few highlights from activities that took place on June 21 and 22 as part of the event.
Continue reading “Recap: 2019 AWW Annual Meeting”This summer, AWW launched a brand-new curriculum and set of educator workshops focused on the book, Alabama Rivers: A Celebration & Challenge, by former AWW Director, Dr. Bill Deutsch. The project was made possible with special funding from the Alabama Bicentennial Commission (Alabama 200), support of the Auburn University and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
On the most perfect spring day, I had the pleasure of leaving my computer screen behind to go into the field and conduct a recertification session for one of our volunteers, Renee Frachioni. We made the short drive over to Town Creek, which is one of the four sites where she does her monthly water chemistry monitoring in the Auburn area. Renee is a very methodical and careful monitor, so my job recertifying was quite easy. It gave me the chance to soak in some of the warm sunshine, to listen to the bubbling creek, and I even spotted a tiger swallowtail butterfly flutter by.
After we finished up, we sat down on a bench near the trail to her site and I took the opportunity to ask her a few “MeOWW Worthy Questions.” We are lucky in the AWW Office to be able to see Renee (and her husband Mark who usually goes with her to test on a monthly basis) when she comes to borrow a testing kit. Take a minute and get to know her!
Continue reading “MeOWW – Renee Frachioni”
This past week, Alabama Water Watch (AWW) had the pleasure of taking part in Auburn University’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Camp, an event where interested high school students from across the country have the opportunity to dedicate a week of their summer vacation to experiencing various aspects of careers in natural resources. These students have the unique opportunity to not only get a glimpse of what their future professions may look like through fun activities like fishing and kayaking, but they also have the chance to experience campus-life by staying in Auburn University’s dormitories and eating at the University’s dining facilities.
Continue reading “AU Fish Camp”Sergio Ruiz-Cordova is the Data Coordinator of Alabama Water Watch and a 2019 recipient of the Spirit of Sustainability Award. This award was created to honor Auburn University students, faculty, staff, and alumni who are making significant contributions toward sustainability on campus or in the community. Having dedicated his entire career to researching sustainable solutions in water quality and quantity, Sergio meets and exceeds these qualifications.
There has been a change in the packaging of the BCG-MR Indicator Tablets (order code T-2311-J). The tablets for the Total Alkalinity test are now being packaged in blister packs (as seen below) rather than in a glass bottle. The order code for the tablets has also slightly changed, to T-2311-A.
The change is intended to extend the shelf life and prevent tablets from breaking apart due to moisture.
The tablet formulas and procedures for the Total Alkalinity Test and Total Hardness Test remain the same.
From LaMotte: There has been a change in the packaging of the Hardness Reagent #6 Tablets. Hardness #6 Tablets (4484A) are now being packaged in blister packs (as seen below) rather than in a glass bottle.
BCG-MR Indicator Tablets (order code T-2311-J) are also now being packaged in blister packs. The order code for the tablets has also slightly changed, to T-2311-A.
The change is intended to extend the shelf life and prevent tablets from breaking apart due to moisture.
The box the blister packs come in (see pictures above) can fit into AWW Kits if laid on their side and placed on top of the turbidity tubes (right photo below).
We recommend that you take out one set of 10 tablets (pictured left, below), label them for the test they are used for (Hardness or Alkalinity) and place them in your kit.
Alabama officially became the US’s 22nd state on December 14, 1819. This year marks the culmination of a three year celebration called “Alabama 200” led by the Alabama Bicentennial Commission to recognize the people, places, and events that form our rich history. Dr. Bill Deutsch’s recently released book, Alabama Rivers: A Celebration & Challenge, that highlights the human history and natural wonders that have defined Alabama is endorsed by Alabama 200.
