In 1992, Friends of the Mad River took over sponsorship of the program. Since its inception, the program has been supported entirely by donations from local businesses and residents of the valley. They know about state water quality standards and the health risks of exposure to fecal matter in their swimming waters. The program's data have also been invaluable in helping local planning commissions and health boards identify village areas where there are sewage problems and agricultural areas where runoff is having an impact. Portion of watershed map displaying Mad River Watch fecal coliform data for one year.
Circles indicate sites that are popular swimming holes.
The process was a gradual one, based on education of the public through annual reports, the local newspaper, newsletters, and community meetings. Each spring, just as local people are starting to use the river for fishing and boating and beginning to look forward to those warm summer days when they can swim, the Mad River Watch Program releases its annual report, highlighting the bacteria results. The report summarizes the previous year's findings, using both tables and a watershed map to show how many times each site was in violation of the state's standards for safe swimming. It also explains the basics of coliform monitoring, fecal contamination, and water quality standards. The report is mailed to residents and supporters and displayed at general stores, post offices, and other public places.