One collection is made from one foot below the surface of the water. This sample is analyzed for ammonia, nitrates, total phosphorus, total suspended solids and volatile suspended solids. Another water sample is collected at twice the Secchi depth. This sample is filtered by the volunteer and analyzed for chlorophyll. Both the water sample and the chlorophyll filter are shipped to Illinois EPA's Champaign Laboratory for analysis.
All analysis is done free of charge to the volunteer.