Conserving Lancaster's streams since 1950
The Water Quality Volunteer Coalition
Volunteers conduct chemical sampling at Historic Poole Forge with the Source Water Collaborative and WQVC (summer 2024).
WQVC Meeting Dates for 2026 (Thursdays):
January 15th, April 16th, July 9th, October 15th (field day)
Location
Farm & Home Center, first floor conference room – 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster PA
Time
2:30 – 4:00 pm
WQVC MACROINVERTEBRATE & HABITAT TRAINING EVENT!
Wednesday, June 3rd -1:00PM @ Greenfield Park in Lancaster, PA
Citizen Scientists
A Citizen Scientist is a member of the general public who collects and analyzes data relating to the natural world, typically as part of a collaborative project with professional scientists.
This dedicated group of community members volunteers their time to sample local streams and creeks in Lancaster County. The data these volunteers gather are vital to determining overall water quality of the county. Volunteers in the program are trained in chemical, physical, and biological sampling and go out on a monthly basis to conduct their tests. Their data are entered into a statewide database and our county-wide database for anyone to access through the internet. The WQVC has meetings on a quarterly basis beginning in January as well to discuss issues they may be having at their sites or to learn about watershed stewardship.
READ ALL ABOUT THE GREAT WORK BEING DONE BY WQVC VOLUNTEERS IN LANCASTER COUNTY HERE!
If interested in joining, please complete the interest form at the bottom of this webpage. You can also email noellelafaver@lancasterconservation.org or call 717-874-2557. Join us at our quarterly meetings to collaborate on water quality monitoring efforts!
WQVC BROCHURE PDF
Volunteer Sampling Forms
PA DEP Habitat Assessment Form PDF
Stream Flow Calculation Form PDF
All Sampling Forms Combined PDF
Fillable Water Chemistry Form Fillable PDF
Testing Equipment Instructions
FloWatch Flow Meter Operating Instructions PDF
Data & Presentations
OneDrive Folder with data and previous presentations
Water Quality Volunteer Coalition Data Center
To the left is a map displaying all of the sampling sites where Water Quality Volunteer Coalition volunteers have collected data. Green stars indicate active sampling sites and red diamonds indicate inactive sampling sites with historical data.
Please use this link to be taken to a OneDrive folder that contains all of the Water Quality Volunteer Coalition data that has been collected over the years (earliest in 2001) by volunteers from Lancaster County. There are three types of data collected: Chemical, Biological, and Physical. All of this data helps determine the quality of water, and ultimately the health of the stream. Users are able to download, sort, and filter data.
Please review the Terms of Use in the workbook concerning the use of data and if there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Noelle Cudney at NoelleLaFaver@lancasterconservation.org.
For Pennsylvania’s Code 25, Chapter 93 water quality standards, please click this link.
Volunteers are Essential
The group is always looking for new members to join in on the fun. Contact the Lancaster County Conservation District for more information. We need your help by joining this important and crucial program. Send a message and we’ll be in touch!
Areas in Need of Volunteers:
- Welsh Mountain (East Earl) – Water Quality Monitoring Volunteers
- Stauffer Run at Greenfield in Lancaster – Water Quality Monitoring Volunteers
Lancaster County Watershed Quick Links
Use these watershed links to find information that’s available for each of these locations.
Business Hours
Monday—Friday
7:30am-4:00pm