In 2023, the Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory and Allegheny County Conservation District conducted a countywide Watershed Sampling Day. Nearly 40 trained volunteers collected water samples at 44 tributaries of interest.

One of the main findings of the 2019 Water Quality Community Consensus Report was that water quality data was limited for the tributaries feeding into the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers. Understanding water quality across these less examined watersheds helps to inform advocates and communities seeking to address point source pollution and stormwater runoff issues.

Background

On May 6, 2023, Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory and Allegheny County Conservation District led volunteers in sampling 44 tributaries of the Ohio River. Subsequent analysis focused on key water parameters, including nitrate, nitrite, phosphorus, iron, and manganese. Findings indicate that these elements were the most indicative of overall stream quality at the sampled sites.