Surfrider Foundation's Blue Water Task Force Virginia Beach

The Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) is the Surfrider Foundation’s citizen science program which provides valuable water quality information to beach communities, raises awareness of local water pollution problems and works collaboratively with local stakeholders to implement solutions.

Surfrider’s network of volunteer-run BWTF labs measure bacteria levels at ocean and bay beaches and in freshwater sources, and compare them to the national water quality standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency to protect public health in recreational waters.

The Virginia Beach Chapter initiated their Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) water quality monitoring program to compliment the State water testing program. The Virginia Department of Health conducts weekly water testing at public beaches in the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean during the swimming season, May-September. To ensure that waters are safe to swim and surf in year-round, the Chapter provides year-round water quality information at ocean beaches to protect the public health of surfers and other community members who will be going in the water.

Water samples are collected and brought to the Virginia Aquarium for processing, where they are analyzed for Enterococcus and other water quality parameters. See the Chapter’s Blue Water Task Force Website Page for more information.