A student may monitor run-off from a school parking lot or other area.  Permission may need to be granted by the school principal or head personnel for the student to collect the run-off.  The run-off collected by the student can be tested using a water testing kit to determine if there is any dangerous material in the water.  Periodical testing will be needed to determine a change in the water quality.  A water gauge could be placed near the parking lot to determine rainfall.  The rainwater could also be tested to determine if there are any pollutants in it and also to compare the rainwater with the run-off water.

Pollutants in the water could include pesticides, fertilizers, oils and gas from vehicles and many other items.  The student could also compare the run-off collected from the parking lot to run-off collected from other area of the school (i.e. the football field) to determine high concentration areas of pollutants.

If there are problems with the water condition of the run-off, the student can contact members of the community and inform them.  The student could become a member of the Adopt-A-Stream program and begin to educate others on water quality and conservation.  The student could educate the community by conducting workshops or distributing a bulletin on water quality.

Written by Blane Marable

-Georgia Adopt-A-Stream

-Environmental Protection Division

4220 International Parkway, Suite 101

Atlanta, GA 30354

(404) 675-1639

-Cooperate Extension Service

-Local Biology Teacher