Year 7-9 students from Raglan Area School have been involved in monitoring water quality in Raglan for the last three years, with our very own WEC environmental scientist.
The students have learnt about the hydrological cycle and how water moves around the planet, and through water pipes; and how all storm water drains run to the sea without treatment. They have also learnt some interesting facts like: the water in the ocean is 37,000 years old, a family uses around 400 litres each day in their homes, and heavy metals (not the music!) and poos (faeces) in the water can cause some health problems.
As Raglan is surrounded on most sides by water, and the fact that nearly all kids surf or swim here; water quality is very important to us.
We have measured water quality at three sites; using indicator sticks, probes and chemical tests to identify specific parameters, like copper, zinc, pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, conductivity, turbidity and nitrates.
What did they find?
Copper and zinc (heavy metals) are present in some storm water drains in town. These are likely to be from cars braking. Some storm water drains have no oxygen. Faecal coliforms and E coli (bacteria that feed on our poo) are higher in the estuary near the Marine Parade Bridge.
Thanks to EW for funding this project for the last three years, and thanks to WWF NZ the project is continuing this year. Thanks also to Envco for fixing our Dissolved Oxygen probe.
Raglan Area School kids testing storm water drains for heavy metals.
