We provide current (and historical) information on the water quality of surface water resources throughout Rhode Island, including lakes, ponds, reservoirs, rivers, streams and the marine environment.  Trained volunteer monitors take weekly measurements from spring to fall. We emphasize the watershed scale because the water quality of a given waterbody is a reflection of the activities upstream and in the lands and waters that surround it.  We encourage communities and shoreline residents to cooperatively manage and improve the water quality of ALL the water bodies within a watershed. In this way we can ensure that Rhode Island’s bays, estuaries, and freshwater resources remain one of the state’s great assets.

GOALS

• Promote active citizen participation in water quality protection.
• Educate the public about water quality issues.
• Obtain multi-year surface water quality information in order to ascertain current conditions and to detect trends.
• Encourage sound management programs based upon water quality information.