Monthly Water Quality Monitoring
UpstreamPgh has been monitoring water quality in the Nine Mile Run stream since 2000. From 2000-2006, data was collected from two stream sites. From 2007-2013, data was collected from three stream sites. Beginning in 2014, we began collecting a wider range of water quality data from four sampling locations on a monthly basis. To view the data we’ve collected please visit our State of the Nine Mile Run Stream Dashboard.
Each month, data is collected on core parameters of interest including: water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, specific conductivity, turbidity, metals, nitrogen and bacteria (monthly during the recreation season, May-October). For more details on sampling methods, view our protocol document.
As we focus our efforts on large green stormwater infrastructure projects upstream in the watershed, it is crucial that we continue to collect this amount of water quality data downstream to determine the health of the ecosystem.
Analyzing monthly data allows us to accurately assess the ecosystem health of Nine Mile Run while better understanding the impact of pollutants into Nine Mile Run and whether they are being reduced over time as a result of interventions and improvements in the upper watershed.
Partners
Eurofins TestAmerica (Grab Sample Analysis)
Field Environmental Instruments (Testing equipment)
Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority (Bacteria Analysis)
Funding
Rita McGinley Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation
The Heinz Endowments
American Eagle Outfitters Foundation
Dylan Todd Simonds Foundation
