Water Quality Sampling

Water chemistry samples are routinely collected by the Central District's Watershed Monitoring (WMM) staff. One of five basins within the Central District is sampled annually on a rotating basis. Every five years each basin is revisited and undergoes a more targeted sampling routine. Each impaired water body within a basin is sampled at least one time every quarter, depending on the size of the water body.

All sample collection procedures and associated field activities are performed in accordance to DEP's Standard Operating Procedures. With the exception of fecal coliform samples, all samples are shipped to DEP Central Laboratory in Tallahassee on a daily basis to meet holding times. Fecal coliform samples, which must be analyzed within eight hours of the collection time, are delivered to a local contract laboratory for analysis.

Typical Surface Water Parameters Monitored

Field: Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH, Specific Conductivity, Secchi Depth, Total Depth

Biological: Fecal coliform, Chlorophyll a (Chl-a), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Nutrients: Nitrite/Nitrate, Ammonia, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, Ortho-phosphorus

Metals: Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium

Other: Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Turbidity, Color, Alkalinity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Fluorine, Sulfate, Chloride

Additional Information:

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Contact List- Watershed Management and Monitoring

Central District Office

Watershed Management and Monitoring Section

3319 Maguire Blvd, Suite 232

Orlando, Florida 32803-3767

phone: 407-897-4100

fax: 850 412-0472

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Central District Watershed Management & Monitoring Site Map

Watershed Management and Monitoring Around the State

Watershed Management Monitoring information from the Division of Water