Surfrider’s volunteer water quality monitoring program provides critical water quality information to protect public health at the beach.
Everyone deserves access to clean water to surf, swim and play in.
Why is water testing important?
The Blue Water Task Force is Surfrider’s volunteer water quality monitoring program that provides critical water quality information to protect public health at the beach. This allows us to raise awareness of local pollution problems and to bring together communities to implement solutions.
We are partnering with Swim Drink Fish to measure water quality in recreational waters and compare those results to local water quality standards. This involves frequent water sampling and lab analysis alongside environmental surveys.
Where and HOw often do we test?
Currently, we take bi-weekly samples at two different recreational beaches and waterways - New Brighton Beach and Volunteer Park (Point Grey Beach).
What are some local water quality issues?
Parts of Vancouver face water quality issues that residents should be aware of to make informed decisions prior to entering the waterways.
Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs)
False Creek is particularly susceptible to sewage pollution due to the five known sewer outfalls that often experience combined sewer overflows (CSOs) during storm and rain events. Therefore, it is essential to inform the recreational water users of these events year-round.
Poor Wildlife Habitat Quality
Vancouver's hardened shoreline destroys wildlife habitats crucial for sensitive aquatic species. Their absence allows invasive and pollution-tolerant species to replace them, amplifying water pollution. Aquatic life naturally cleanses waters, so their decline worsens surrounding water pollution.
Chemical Pollution
The heavy industrial presence in Burrard Inlet raises concerns about chemical pollution. Industrial sources and petroleum stations can introduce harmful chemicals into waterways. Monitoring water quality provides evidence to advocate for healthier waterways and allows swimmers to make informed decisions.
Swim Drink Fish
Swimmable, drinkable, fishable water for everyone.
3,082,464
water health data points have been collected since 2011
Swim Drink Fish initiatives are active in 171 communities in 11 countries.
Operating on the territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations, Swim Drink Fish - Vancouver Hub, engages the community in water quality monitoring, data-sharing, and stewardship of local waters.
The Vancouver Hub follows the British Columbia Recreational Water Quality Guidelines (MOE, 2019), and uses rigorous standards of water sampling, analyzing, and data sharing for scientific accuracy, and standardizations.
Take Action
To get involved and help us test our local waters, please contact volunteercoordinator@vancouver.surfrider.org