Water - we drink it, cook in it, wash in it, splash around and play in it, but so do a million other creatures, organisms, microrganisms, chemicals and goobies of all sorts. That's why we've got to "watch" it. Keep it clean, pure and wholesome.
And that's why Lincoln University, the country's specialist natural resources based university, has a "Waterwatch" programme.
Waterwatch is an interactive school and community based educational programme designed to involve students and residents in monitoring their local rivers, streams, ponds, lakes and groundwater.
With the help of Lincoln University scientists, the students and community members use a variety of hands-on activities to measure and monitor the physical, chemical and biological aspects of waterways.
The programme, which started in 1997 has been highly successful in Christchurch and now a funding grant from the Brian Mason Trust has enabled Lincoln University to take the programme into the Timaru and South Canterbury region.
"To coordinate the Waterwatch activities in South Canterbury we are now looking for a locally-based, part-time staff member," says Kelvin Nicolle, Senior Tutor in Natural Resources Engineering at Lincoln University and Manager of the Waterwatch programme.
"It's for school term time only and would suit a retired teacher or somebody with an interest in environmental monitoring and water quality issues."
"It is thanks to the support of the Brian Mason Trust that we are now able to make this appointment and it has also enabled us to purchase some up-to-date equipment for South Canterbury."
"For example we're buying a modern spectrophotometer which will enable us to measure the chemistry within water bodies to a very high standard."
"Waterwatch has had equipment in South Canterbury for a number of years, but now with a grant specifically given for the South Canterbury region we can really start to get the movement going in the district."
"The programme has the support of Mark Oldfield, South Canterbury's regional councillor on Environment Canterbury."
"Waterwatch complements what ECan and other environmental groups are doing in South Canterbury," says Mr Nicolle.
"Naturally, because of the connection with Lincoln University, the focus of Waterwatch is primarily educational and we make an effort to ensure that the programme fits in with the school curriculum. It complements the work students are doing from Year 7 through to Year 13 and fits into the Living World, Water Studies and Case Studies part of the curriculum."
"We have also supported science fairs in South Canterbury and a lot of our Waterwatch students have won prizes at these fairs."
If you are interested in the position of South Canterbury Waterwatch Co-ordinator you should contact Kelvin Nicolle by email on kelvin.nicholle@lincoln.ac.nz, or phone him at Lincoln University on 64 3 3252811 ext 8795.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Ian Collins, Journalist
Lincoln University, Canterbury
Tel: 64 3 3252811 ext 8549
Email: Ian Collins
(Photo available: Generic Waterwatch activity picture available electronically if required. Contact address above.)