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Home My WebLink AboutCSI: Empowering Communities Through Water Science- 4/8/2025 PresentationCommunity Science Institute: Empowering Communities Through Water Science Grascen Shidemantle, PhD Executive Director Community Science Institute Danby Conservation Advisory Council 4/8/2025 Michigan Creek, Danby State Forest March 21, 2025 Agenda Intro: Community Science Institute Volunteer Monitoring & Water Quality Databases Fee-for-Service Water Testing Outreach and Education Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org CSI Staff Agenda Intro: Community Science Institute Volunteer Monitoring & Water Quality Databases Fee-for-Service Water Testing Outreach and Education Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org CSI Staff To inspire and empower communities to safeguard water resources by cultivating scientific literacy through volunteer water quality monitoring, certified laboratory analyses, and education. CSI's Mission Volunteer Water Monitoring Partnerships CSI is a 501(c)3 non-profit and NYSDOH-ELAP certified water testing lab in Ithaca, NY Fee-for- Service Water Testing Outreach and Education CSI offers three types of programming: Community Science Institute Community Science Institute Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Grascen Shidemantle Executive Director Noah Mark Laboratory Director Adrianna Hirtler Biomonitoring Coordinator Katia Appel Office Administrator Alyssa Johnson Outreach and Programs Coordinator Seth Bingham Water Quality Scientist Dan Pascucci Water Quality Scientist Rama Hoetzlein Database Developer Bill George Data Entry Specialist Agenda Intro: Community Science Institute Volunteer Monitoring & Water Quality Databases Fee-for-Service Water Testing Outreach and Education Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Town of Danby Watersheds Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org CSI’s Volunteer Water Monitoring Partnerships Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org 1. Synoptic Stream and Lake Monitoring 2. Biomonitoring 4. Other projects as need or interest arises 3. Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Monitoring Monitoring Partnerships We retired CSI’s Red Flag Monitoring Program at the end of 2024 CSI’s Water Quality Database Stream and Lake Chemistry Harmful Algal Blooms Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org http://www.database.communityscience.org / Synoptic Stream and Lake Monitoring Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Purpose: Produce regulatory-quality stream and lake water chemistry data that can inform water resource management decisions as well as keep the public informed on the state of their local water resources. Monitor streams and lakes for: -Nutrients -Sediment -Bacteria -Salt -pH, conductivity, temperature, etc. David has been monitoring water quality on Fall Creek with us since 2002! Synoptic Stream and Lake Monitoring Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org David has been monitoring water quality on Fall Creek with us since 2002! Fall Creek – Ithaca Falls April 4, 2024 May 3, 2024 Volunteers collect samples from their designated stream 3 times each year under “stormwater” & baseflow conditions Samples are analyzed in CSI’s state-certified water testing laboratory Synoptic Monitoring in the Town of Danby Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Volunteers have been monitoring Cayuga Inlet since 2007 There are 25 actively monitored sites on Cayuga Inlet and its tributaries Three sites in the Town of Danby: •Buttermilk Creek at West Miller Road •Buttermilk Creek at Jennings Pond •Cayuga Inlet Station Road Synoptic Monitoring in the Town of Danby Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org •Cayuga Inlet Station Road •Low E.coli, chloride, conductivity, nutrients •Sometimes elevated phosphorus •Buttermilk Creek at West Miller Road •Only routinely monitoring for E.coli •E.coli has sometimes reached high levels, but generally low •Buttermilk Creek at Jennings Pond •Low chloride, E.coli, nitrogen, conductivity •Phosphorus sometimes elevated, particularly in the summer Biomonitoring Partnership Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Biomonitoring Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Purpose: Determine the ecological and long term health of streams while educating community members about local aquatic biodiversity Biological Monitoring Results Collect and identify samples of benthic macroinvertebrates (BMI) to calculate: -Total Family Richness -EPT Richness -Ephemeroptera = mayflies, Plecoptera = stoneflies, Trichoptera = caddisflies -Family Biotic Index -Percent Model Affinity -Biological Assessment Profile Volunteers collect samples in the field then sort and identify organisms in the lab Biomonitoring in the Town of Danby Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Most Recent Biomonitoring Event in Danby Cayuga Inlet or its tributaries are monitored each year These streams consistently have BAP scores of “non- impacted” or “slightly impacted” Cayuga Lake Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Monitoring Partnership Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org June 3, 2024 June 12, 2024 October 28, 2024 September 19, 2024 Cayuga Lake Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Monitoring Partnership Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Purpose: Collect actionable data on cyanobacteria blooms, protect public health, and relay bloom information and testing results quickly and efficiently. HABs Harriers perform weekly shoreline surveys for HABs Blooms are reported to CSI via HABs Hotline Samples are analyzed in CSI’s state certified lab The Cayuga Lake HABs Monitoring Program is led by CSI in collaboration with CLWN and DCL CSI alerts public to HABs Cayuga Lake Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Monitoring Partnership Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org HAB samples are analyzed to: -Identify cyanobacteria genera -Measure chlorophyll a -Measure microcystin Bloom information is uploaded to CSI’s NEW HABs Database CSI reports all blooms to county health department officials and NYSDEC Dolichospermum sp. Microcystis sp. Cayuga Lake Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Monitoring Partnership Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org 2024 Cayuga Lake HAB Reports NEW! Owego Creek Monitoring Project Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org NEW! Owego Creek Monitoring Project Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Partnership with the Al Hazzard Chapter of Trout Unlimited Project duration: 2025-2026 Goal: Identify critical trout spawning habitat in tributaries of the Owego Creek system so that native, wild trout can be reintroduced or introduced in these areas. Monitoring five tributaries of Catatonk Creek (tributary of Owego Creek) for water quality indicators relevant to trout health NEW! Owego Creek Monitoring Project Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Only one spot remaining at Saturday’s training! Historic Monitoring in Danby – Red Flag Monitoring Program Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Purpose: Establish baseline water quality for parameters related to shale gas wells, specifically hydrofracking; and should hydrofracking begin in New York, to document whether impacts on streams and lakes occur as a result. Monitored streams for: -Temperature -pH -Dissolved oxygen -Total hardness -Conductivity Volunteers performed quality- assured tests in the field using testing kits Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Read “The Power of Community-Collected Data” for more details: http://www.communitys cience.org/2022/09/22 /power-of -community- collected-data/ Removal of the southern end of Cayuga Lake from the 303(d) list for pathogenic bacteria Validate the Cayuga Lake Modeling Project's model of Fall Creek phosphorus loading Trumansburg Wastewater Plant upgrades Seneca -Keuka 9E Plan Peer-reviewed research CSI Data Makes a Difference Agenda Intro: Community Science Institute Volunteer Monitoring & Water Quality Databases Fee-for-Service Water Testing Outreach and Education Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Fee-for-Service Water Testing Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Residents - Home sales - Routine testing - Health/taste/quality concerns Local Businesses - Farms - Restaurants - Breweries - Wineries - Mobile Home Parks - Apartment Buildings Government Agencies - Tompkins County Health Dept. - NY State Parks - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation - NYS Dept. of Health We test water from private wells, municipal water systems, swimming beaches, effluents, and more! We serve: NYSDOH-ELAP #11790 In 2024, CSI’s lab tested more than 2,900 drinking water and wastewater samples! In-House Testing Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Potable Only Total Coliform/E.coli Standard Plate Count Nitrate, Nitrite Calcium Hardness Sulfate Conductivity Turbidity Orthophosphate (SRP) Both pH Chloride Alkalinity Total Dissolved Solids Turbidity Microcystin Non-Potable Only E.coli Enumeration Fecal Coliform Nitrate+Nitrite (NOx) Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) Ammonia Nitrogen Soluble Reactive Phosphorous Total Hardness Total Solids Total Suspended Solids Dissolved Oxygen Chlorophyll a We partner with larger labs to subcontract testing for other analytes such as heavy metals, PFAS, BOD, etc. Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Resources FAQ page on CSI’s website Handouts on common questions such as how to shock a well, iron and manganese bacteria, and microcystin in beach wells Sample bottles available for pick up at: -CSI’s Lab by the Ithaca Airport -Greenstar on Cascadilla Street -ShurSave in Trumansburg -A new location near you?? Referrals for local water treatment specialists Water Testing Assistance Fund Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org We are proud to provide discounted drinking water tests* to those who otherwise could not afford the cost of these analyses. *Applies to “in-house” water tests only. Based upon availability of funds. We believe that everyone has the right to know if their water is safe to drink! Why offer this service? Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Filling in the gap for a large lab in Syracuse that lost its certification CSI is the only commercial ELAP-certified lab in Tompkins County and the Cayuga Lake watershed We provide valuable education to clients about their drinking water resources and recommended testing to fit their specific needs and budgets Provides a sustainable source of income (~ 50% of our income in 2024) It is needed! Fee-for-Service Water Testing Q&A Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Agenda Intro: Community Science Institute Volunteer Monitoring & Water Quality Databases Fee-for-Service Water Testing Outreach and Education Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Journey of Water Summer Youth Education Series Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Public Events and Presentations Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Educational Materials Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Online Learning MaterialsAnnual Water Bulletin Newsletters Monthly Email Updates Agenda Intro: Community Science Institute Volunteer Monitoring & Water Quality Databases Fee-for-Service Water Testing Outreach and Education Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Acknowledgements Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Thank you! Dedicated volunteers! Local Governments Partners CSI Members Cayuga County Seneca County Tompkins County City of Ithaca Town of Caroline Town of Danby Town of Dryden Town of Enfield Town of Ithaca Town of Lansing Town of Newfield Town of Scipio Town of Ulysses Village of Cayuga Heights CSI Staff Past and Present Stay in touch! gshidemantle@communityscience.org (607) 257 -6606 www.communityscience.org@communityscienceinstitute Join CSI’s email list for monthly updates Follow us on social media Set up a meeting with me Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Questions Community Science Institute (CSI) • www.communityscience.org • info@communityscience.org Kita on the shore of Lake Ontario Water from the Town of Danby flows from the Cayuga Inlet, into Cayuga Lake, out the Seneca River where it joins the Oswego River, and into Lake Ontario