What is a Water Blitz?
A Water Blitz is a time-limited citizen science data collection event. Typically held over 4-7 days, a Water Blitz will engage a group of citizen scientists to collect data providing a snapshot picture of water quality across a specified geographic area, including the collection of chemical and observational data.
Beyond this, the details of a Water Blitz depend on the specific objectives of the event and the objectives of the participants. Some are designed primarily for engagement purposes (including education and recruitment of new citizen scientists), and these events tend to feature mass engagement of local citizens. Other Water Blitzes are primarily focused on gathering scientific data that will be accepted or used by regulators or could be used to identify and investigate specific issues facing a river. This requires more investment and resources, particularly time, with often a smaller group of participants and not necessarily clear regulator engagement or outcomes.
Models of Water Blitzes
There are two ‘levels’ of Water Blitz events:
Level 1: Engagement and high-level data collection
In this Water Blitz model, there is a primary focus on engagement. A large group participate, supporting local engagement, education and recruitment of citizen scientists. In this model the volunteers are trained online and then go out to take measurements in pairs / smaller groups. Alternatively, volunteers could be trained at the start of an event in person by the Blitz organisers. Sampling locations can be self-selected or pre-defined by the event organiser. Citizen science methods (of which there could be one or multiple) are completed in the field and results are gained in real time by the volunteers. Data collected is scientifically robust, using simple, low-cost methods, rather than involving laboratory analysis. Feedback is provided to the citizen scientists instantly, with further detail/analysis following the event.
Examples: FreshWater Watch WaterBlitz, the Bristol Avon Waterblitz.
Level 2: Enhanced data collection
In this model the primary focus is on sophisticated data collection, often to support or validate other ongoing / long-term citizen science data collection. This may require technical expertise and/or sending samples to accredited laboratories for analysis. This may require more in-depth training delivered face-to-face, and could involve partnering trained and untrained volunteers. Given this in-person training requirement and the higher cost of equipment, typically this model engages a smaller group of participants, potentially focused on existing citizen scientists. Sampling locations are always pre-defined to gain the most value from the event, which may be determined by host organisations or co-developed with citizen scientists. Providing reasoning for choosing locations without citizen science input is recommended to increase transparency. Methods could include the use of handheld meters, and/or water samples which are sent to a laboratory for analysis or tested using equipment owned by the event organiser such as a spectrophotometer (can less expensive than laboratory analysis). Feedback is provided to the citizen scientists following the event.
Examples: iWharfe, the Big Windemere Survey, Thames21, Ribble Rivers Trust.
Attributes of a Water Blitz
Essential attributes of a Water Blitz event fall into three categories.
1. Communication
It is essential to have clear communications with the citizen scientists, to ensure they are fully engaged and to set expectations. Volunteers value an explanation as to why they are collecting the data and how it will be used prior to the event. Timely and relevant feedback, as well as accessible data, is essential to maintain motivation and enthusiasm for citizen science. There should be a clear pathway for volunteers to continue their involvement after the event, such as joining ongoing / long-term projects.
2. Robust data
There should be a clear aim and research question for the Water Blitz event, with robust data collection methods resulting in useful useable data. Where multiple methods are used, they should be consistent, and Water Blitz data should complement other ongoing / long-term citizen science projects in the catchment. Appropriate training must take place to ensure data quality control.
3. Policies and procedures
Health and safety must be of primary importance. Biosecurity policies and procedures should be in place, and necessary equipment and training provided. A Risk Assessment must be undertaken ahead of the event, with clear health and safety guidance given to all participants. Lone working should not take place.
Additionally, all data collection must be in line with GDPR rules, and clarity on the data policy must be provided to all participants.
Finally, procedures must be in place to ensure all sampling is undertaken on public land or with landowners’ permission. For example, agree verbally or in writing with the landowner in advance and give permission with times and dates to access a sampling point if it is on private property.
In addition, the following attributes are ‘nice to have’s’ and should be considered when designing a Water Blitz event.
4. Connection
To add value to the Water Blitz event, it should be connected where possible to other relevant projects and partners. Where ongoing / long-term citizen science monitoring is taking place in the same region, Water Blitz events should be coordinated to ensure complementary data collection and drive engagement with the ongoing project. Where local stakeholders, water companies and regulators can be engaged with the Water Blitz event, this provides multiple benefits. Finally, it was noted during the Technical Working Group workshop that where Water Blitzes can follow the same protocols nationally (and internationally), this is beneficial as it potentially allows for data comparison across geographies, depending on the methodologies adopted.
Planning your Water Blitz event
1. Determining the objectives and deciding which model to use
Step one is to identify your clear objectives for the event and a research question, for example, what is the water quality across a catchment or identifying point sources of pollution. How does this Water Blitz event connect with other activities in your catchment? Are you aiming to recruit volunteers for ongoing citizen science monitoring or do you already have an established group? Do you want to use this event to verify your other citizen science data, to collect data over a wider or new geographic region, or to investigate a specific issue? What funding or resources do you have access to?
Once you have considered questions such as these, you should write clear objectives for your event and decide if Level 1 or Level 2 is most suitable to meet your aims.
2. Initial planning
- Plan out a timeline of activity (outlined in Section 8 below)
- You must undertake a risk assessment for your event, at least one, but potentially multiple site-specific assessments if you are using pre-defined locations for monitoring. Biosecurity should be included within this. This should be available for participants.
- Ensure that you have the correct public liability insurance, and create clear liability waivers for participants, if required (e.g. if they will be going out to monitor / take samples unaccompanied). For example, liability waivers can be agreed upon when registering on the data platforms.
- Consider accessibility, both in terms of access to the site and resources and events. Different participants will have different learning styles and needs.
3. Communications and volunteer recruitment
Ideally, start communication and promotion of your event around eight weeks prior. For Level 1 style Water Blitz events, consider using multiple communication channels to spread the word as far and wide as possible – direct emails to your existing contacts, social media posts, newsletters, local press and radio, relevant local events, leaflets/flyers etc. If you have funding available, you could consider paid social media posts and/or Google adverts. For Level 2 style events, you may wish to limit invitations based on cost restrictions, so target your communications to your key audience.
Ensure that you have a simple registration system for volunteers to sign up for your event. You could host this on your website, use systems such as Eventbrite, or manage this via email. Ask them how they found out about the event to help determine which method of advertising is most effective. Make sure to collect all the information that you will need for your volunteers: name and contact information, address (if you are posting kit to them) and any important information that you want to track (such as motivation for joining or demographic information). For some events, additional information may be needed, such as emergency contact details, allergies, medical conditions, etc. Ensure that your registration form is GDPR compliant; do not collect more information than you need; clearly define how you will be using individuals’ data. Have a clear end date for registrations – if you need to post kit to your volunteers, ensure that you leave enough time for potential postal delays! When setting a registration limit, bear in mind that up to 30% of those who sign up may not actually take part (30% is a typical drop-off rate). Ensure volunteers receive an email confirming registration.
Maintain communications with your volunteers throughout the lead-up to the event to maintain motivation and maximise participation. Provide clear instructions of what they need to do – including information on training, in person or online, risk assessments, information on where volunteers should be monitoring, top tips, etc. Regular reminder emails a week before the event, a day before and during the event, are key to maximising participation. For Level 2 events then, more detailed information will be needed, such as where to park, clothing needed and whether they need to bring food.
4. Resources and logistics
This is highly dependent on the type of Water Blitz event you are running.
Ensure that you have purchased and prepared the required kits and equipment for your volunteers. If you are posting this to volunteers, ensure you have the personnel capacity to manage this process, and allow sufficient time for postage. If you are running in-person training, ensure you have people and venues booked. If you need Water Blitz leaders on duty during the event, ensure you have sufficient people (perhaps using some volunteers as well as staff members), clearly define roles and have a clear plan for locations and timings. It can be helpful for in-person events to have a back up plan if your Water Blitz methodology is weather-dependent.
If you need volunteers to have created an account, downloaded an app, etc., before the event, provide clear instructions and reminders about this specifically to avoid issues during your event.
5. Training
Whether you are training online, in person ahead of the event or in person during the event, you will need a robust training approach to ensure clarity for volunteers, risk management and liability management. Here, you can refer back to your risk assessment(s) and plan the training to mitigate your identified risks.
Allow participants to ask questions – this can be in-person or online, such as via email.
In addition to online/in-person training, provide participants with the same information that they can refer back to while carrying out their surveys, e.g. written instructions or a video.
6. Running your Water Blitz
During your event, ensure you have support staff or volunteers available to assist participants. Contact details will need to be provided. This can either be in-person or remote (via email or phone calls), but it will be essential to resolve last-minute issues such as struggles logging in, equipment failures, health and safety concerns, problems finding allocated sites, species ID, etc.
For the Level 1 Water Blitz model, the volunteers are often trained online and then go out to take measurements in pairs / smaller groups. Alternatively, volunteers could be trained at the start of an event in person by the Blitz organisers; if this is the case, a venue will be needed. Sampling locations can be self-selected or pre-defined by the event organiser. Citizen science methods are completed in the field, and results are gained in real-time by the volunteers. Data can be reported online, for example, using Survey 123.
For Level 2 events, plans would need to be in place to deliver the face-to-face training and could involve partnering with trained and untrained volunteers. Equipment, survey sheets and maps with location of the sampling points distributed, Methods could include the use of handheld meters, and/or water samples which are sent to a laboratory for analysis or tested using equipment owned by the event organiser such as a spectrophotometer. Clear instructions would need to be given on logging and labelling the samples to ensure they don’t get mixed up.
In both approaches, feedback from volunteers after the event is also valuable to collect to help make improvements.
7. Post-event reporting and communications
It is essential to provide timely feedback to your participants. While full data analysis may take some time, try to get in contact with your participants within a week of the event to thank them, provide some headline key messages and advise when you will share the full detailed analysis.
Consider what level of feedback is required for different groups. A simple one-pager or infographic of the data / key findings may be sufficient for some audiences, whilst others may want to read a longer detailed paper.
Consider routes to share the results wider than just the participants, e.g. website, social media, press release, CaSTCo network, etc. It should be noted that data may be sensitive for certain locations and may not be published in the public domain.
Resources required
Resources that you may require could include, but are not limited to:
- Water quality testing equipment
- Laboratory time
- Postage/delivery logistics and resources
- Venue for training if Level 2 and to meet afterwards
- Website/online data platform or paper forms for volunteers to record results
- Mobile app
- Training materials (instructions, videos, ID guides)
- Promotional materials (digital and paper)
- Data analysis software
- Report creation software (e.g. Canva)
- Risk Assessment(s)
Roles
To deliver a successful Water Blitz, you should consider who can support with the following roles (the roles could be carried out by the same person depending upon their skill set):
- Project Management of the event, including managing budgets
- Communications and marketing – supporting recruitment and communication of results
- Scientific lead – setting research question, monitoring strategy, data analysis, writing the report
- Training lead to develop and deliver – Level 1 online and Level 2 in person
- Logistical support – ensuring people and resources are in the right place at the right time, including booking venues, equipment and PPE distribution
- Technical support – for data uploading and volunteer’s technical queries during the event
- Volunteer support – assisting volunteers during the Water Blitz event
Timescales
Your project plan and timeline will be dependent on your choices about which Water Blitz model to use and the specifics of your event, but a high-level overview of your timeline could look as follows:
*dependent on type of Water Blitz model used
This report is a CaSTCo technical working group co-developed audit of Water Blitz events. Information herein was collected as part of a technical working group workshop hosted by Earthwatch Europe on the 22nd of February, 2023. Earthwatch Europe has led the compilation and development of this report. You can read more about Earthwatch FreshwaterWatch Blitz in this case study.