Water woes on the Connecticut River

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - Volunteers are being rounded up to help monitor the water quality of the Connecticut River.

The Water Resources Research Center at the University of Massachusetts and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission are teaming up to track the river’s health.

Twice a week volunteers will be called on to collect water samples. Individuals will also take air and water temperatures and make a few observations.

Samples will be analyzed for E. coli count. This bacteria, at high enough levels, makes water unsafe to swim and boat in.

Collection will run from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

The project includes more than two dozen sites in three states along the Connecticut River; several are in western Massachusetts.  Anyone interested in donating their time to the Connecticut River Water Quality Monitoring Project should contact Pooja Kanwar at (413) 545-5979.