JACKSONVILLE, Fla., July 29, 1999 — St. Johns County WatershedAction Volunteers (WAV) are looking for help in monitoring waterquality in the Guana watershed.

Sponsored by the St. Johns River Water Management District,the WAV program involves local residents in protecting and restoringwaterways in their communities. Volunteers participating in theGuana watershed project collect water samples from five sitesto test and track nutrient and bacteria levels.

Excessive nutrients and bacteria from fertilizers, septictanks and stormwater change the water’s chemistry and may depletethe dissolved oxygen needed to sustain the basin’s plants, animalsand fish. Increased nutrient levels also can cause dramatic growthof aquatic vegetation, such as cattails, that can clog channelsand water control structures. The result can be residential floodingand can require expensive vegetation maintenance programs.
Elevated water levels are also detrimental to some native plantsand can contribute to septic tank failure and high fecal coliformcounts.

The program needs volunteers willing to make a long-term commitmentto give approximately four to six hours one day each month tothe project. The District will train volunteers to collect watersamples and to use analysis equipment.

The Guana watershed renovation project is a joint effort ofthe District, St. Johns County, the Ponte Vedra Municipal ServiceDistrict and the Florida Department of Environmental Protectionto relieve flooding and improve water quality.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the Guana basin monitoringprogram may contact Jackie Alligood, St. Johns County WAV coordinator,at (904) 823-2415.

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