FAQs

Where and when will monitoring take place?

Water quality monitoring will take place on the Anacostia River and its tributaries bi-weekly from May to September. All sites will be monitoring on the same day. Check out a detailed map of all monitoring sites here.

Samples will typically be collected on Wednesday morning (7 AM - 10 AM), with Thursday mornings as a back-up for weather. It's important that volunteers are available to monitor at these times as samples need to be back to Anacostia Riverkeeper offices within 5 hours of sampling or brought to the satellite drop off location (Takoma Piney Branch Park from 8:30-10am and Joe's Movement Emporium 8-10am).

What will you be monitoring for?

This project will be collecting data on pH, turbidity, water and air temperature, and E. coli bacteria. We have also partnered with Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) to analyze nutrients and dissolved organic matter. Working with Dr. Amy Sapkota and University of Maryland, College Park we are also performing Microbial Source Tracking (MST) analysis at select sites, which will help us pinpoint sources of bacteria.

Who will be collecting the samples?

YOU! This is a volunteer monitoring project managed by Anacostia Riverkeeper that relies on community scientists from around the Anacostia watershed to help us collect this data. Volunteers will be trained and taught how to go out and collect all necessary data and water quality samples from their respective station.

Anyone can volunteer! Volunteers must be above 18 years old or accompanied by a parent to collect data.

Where can I find the data?

The main goal of this program is to provide up-to-date information about the Anacostia's water quality to residents and visitors to the district who aim to recreate or enjoy the Anacostia and its tributaries. All data will be published on our social media (@anacostiariverkeeper) every other week by no later than Friday at 5 PM. Additionally, data will also be incorporated into the Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative, a large shared database managed by Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay intended to help monitor all waters emptying into the Chesapeake Bay.

Where and when can I pick up supplies?

1. Anacostia Riverkeeper Office: 729 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003 -- Tuesday-Thursday 9-3pm

2. Satellite pickup available at Joe's Movement Emporium: 3309 Bunker Hill Rd, Mt Rainier, MD.

3. Satellite pickup available at ARK's Maureen's House: 2005 Dennis Ave, Silver Spring MD (email monitor@ to schedule!)

Where do I drop the samples off?

1. Takoma Piney Branch Park, 8:30-10am. 2 Darwin Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

2.  Joe's Movement Emporium, 8-10am. 3309 Bunker Hill Rd, Mt Rainier, MD.

3. Anacostia Riverkeeper Office: 729 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003 -- Tuesday-Thursday 8:30-12pm