The Volunteer Water Information Network (VWIN) is a stream monitoring program coordinated by the Environmental Quality Institute (EQI).
Volunteers collect stream water samples that are analyzed at the EQI laboratory in Asheville. Buncombe County stream samples are collected at established sites on the first Saturday of each month. After collection, the volunteers take the samples to a designated drop point (usually a gas station cooler) where the samples are refrigerated.
The volunteer coordinator picks up the samples from the drop point and delivers them to the EQI laboratory Monday morning. EQI tests the samples for pH, alkalinity, conductivity, orthophosphate, ammonia-nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen, turbidity, and total suspended solids each month.
Buncombe County VWIN Locations – Summer 2014
North Buncombe: Flat Creek near I-26 at Exit 17 (1 site, #27)
Fairview: Cane and Ashworth Creeks at Hwy 74 and Cane Creek at Mills Gap Road (3 sites, #15A, 15B, & 16A)
If you’d like to get involved, contact Ann Marie Traylor at amt@eqilab.org or (828) 333-0392.