The City of Monterey, the City of Pacific Grove, the Coastal Watershed Council, and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary are seeking citizen volunteers to participate in this summer's Urban Watch Water Quality Monitoring Program. This continuing program has helped the cities of Monterey and Pacific Grove and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary identify and implement educational programs aimed at addressing urban pollutants entering the marine sanctuary.
Urban runoff is one of the leading sources of pollution into coastal waters.
The Urban Watch monitoring program provides a way for local residents and community members to become involved in learning more about water quality and urban pollution issues by becoming an Urban Watch volunteer monitor for the summer months. Volunteers will work with a team conducting monthly monitoring of the cities' storm drains. They are able to detect pollutants that drain into the Sanctuary. The results of these monitoring efforts are used to develop targeted educational programs to help reduce urban runoff. This dry weather citizen monitoring effort is unique to California.