Issue link: https://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/194907
VOLUNTEER yourself Interested? Here's a quick FAQ for background: • Is testing difficult? "If you know says. "You can then adopt an existing • Why do it? "Cherishing your lake how to make a pan of brownies, it's testing site or set up your own (near is not just looking from the porch," the same concept," says Rita Grub of your lake house is fine). We re-certify Wideman says. "Love is an active Alabama Water Watch. "Just put in volunteers every two years to review verb. You cherish by doing something. some drops, mix them in a little bit, testing techniques." It all adds up to the big picture and let sit for a designated time, record • Do I need to understand the results? that's great." • How do I begin? Go to results, and post on our site. A lot of it "We don't have to know much about the is determining color changes." science," volunteer Patsy Wideman says. www.alabamawaterwatch.org and "What matters is that we're very exacting click on Workshop Registration to find can learn to conduct bacteria testing, in following the criteria in running tests the training schedule. chemical testing or both," Grub says. and reporting results." Or contact (888) 844-4785, • Are there testing categories? "You • How am I trained? "Five-hour • What if I have problems? "There's workshops in water chemistry and always someone to ask for help," says three-hour classes in bacteria testing Judy May, who coordinates all water are conducted by AWW staff and monitors on Lake Jordan. "You get more citizen trainers around the state," she confident — and faster — as you go." info@alabamawaterwatch.org. — Carolanne Roberts See how you can get involved in water testing and more environmental efforts at Alabama Power's NewsCenter. news.alabamapower.com/ Above: Photo by Wynter Byrd — Volunteers Ann Hill and Judy May have been friends for more than 40 years and started water testing on Lake Jordan for their Alabama Master Naturalist certifications. Centerfold: Photo by Wynter Byrd — Patsy Wideman and Rebecca Beaty have tested water on Lake Mitchell for more than eight years. S hor el i ne s | 2013 Vol:3 11