University of Regina: Dugout water quality program
About this project
Traditional water quality testing can be costly, and analyses can take a long time to be conducted and for results to be returned to landowners. In this project, we are aiming to provide real-time water quality results to allow farmers to determine whether there are early warning signs of unsafe water quality for livestock consumption in a timely fashion. To do this, we are using Community-Based Water Monitoring (CBWM) methods for use specifically in farm dugouts and sloughs. This research is led by Dr. Kerri Finlay at the University of Regina.
Your measurements serve as the first indicator of water quality gone wrong in the dugout. While these tests can indicate water issues, they don’t replace lab testing. When in doubt, do not let your cattle near water you suspect to have serious issues.
This collaboration between Water Rangers and the University of Regina would not be possible without the support of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association and the University of Regina’s Faculty of Science.
Sharing your data
Your observations help inform scientific research that looks into water quality trends in dugouts during the warm months.
Your observations can’t do all these incredible things if they aren’t properly managed and shared. When your observations are shared on Water Rangers’ data platform, this facilitates the reuse of and access to your data for scientists, decision-makers, and communities.
To share your data, you have to create an account from your computer on app.waterrangers.ca. Once your account is created, make sure to ask to join the Dugout water quality group.
Once your account is created and you’ve joined the group, you can choose how you’ll share your data to the platform. You can share your data using:
- Water Rangers’ data platform on your computer. Log in to share and manage your data via our open data platform app.waterrangers.ca
- Water Rangers’ iOS field app. Enter your data right from the field using your smartphone! This ensures your observations are immediately managed and shared on our data platform. Search for Water Rangers in the iOS store.
How will your data be used?
Your data will be used by the University of Regina to look for trends in water quality. For example, your measurements will help determine whether conductivity can be used to reliably estimate sulfate concentrations and therefore the safety of the water for cattle consumption.
Your measurements also serve as the first indicator of water quality gone wrong in the dugout. While these tests can indicate water issues, they don’t replace lab testing. When in doubt, do not let your cattle near water you suspect to have serious issues.