The program tests beaches within Santa Cruz County. Specific locations may change, but we focus on high-use beaches where water quality is most important for public health.
BWTF Volunteer Program
Join Surfrider Santa Cruz’s Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) to help monitor water quality, protect our oceans, and ensure clean, safe beaches.
Become a Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) Volunteer
The Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) is Surfrider's water quality monitoring program, designed to help protect public health, preserve our beaches, and safeguard the environment. As a BWTF Volunteer, you’ll be part of a critical initiative to monitor local water quality at Santa Cruz’s beaches and ocean. This is your opportunity to make a direct impact on ocean conservation and public health in your community.
By participating in the BWTF, you’ll gain hands-on experience, deepen your understanding of water quality issues, and help prevent harmful bacteria from affecting our local waters. You’ll work alongside passionate volunteers and staff who share your commitment to protecting our ocean.
When you become a Blue Water Task Force volunteer, you are protecting our precious Santa Cruz beaches, waves, and coastlines.
Why Volunteer with BWTF?
Make an Impact: Directly contribute to ensuring the safety and health of local beaches by identifying and addressing water quality issues.
Gain Valuable Experience: Develop skills in water quality testing, environmental science, and community advocacy.
Learn About Local Waterways: Get up close with the ecosystems of the Santa Cruz coastlines and understand the key factors affecting water health.
Join a Community of Advocates: Be part of a network of like-minded individuals working together for ocean and beach conservation.
Help Protect Public Health: Your efforts ensure that surfers, swimmers, and families can enjoy the beach safely.
Support Surfrider’s Mission: Every sample you take and every report you submit helps further Surfrider’s commitment to clean water, healthy oceans, and accessible coastlines.
BWTF Volunteer Roles
There are several ways you can get involved with the Blue Water Task Force (BWTF). Whether you want to get out on the beaches, work behind the scenes in the lab, or help coordinate efforts, there’s a role for you. Check out the descriptions below for each volunteer position:
1. BWTF Water Sampler
As a BWTF Water Sampler, you'll play an essential role in protecting public health and the environment by collecting water samples from designated beach and coastal sites and delivering them to our testing lab near the Santa Cruz Harbor.
Your efforts will directly contribute to identifying potential pollution issues, promoting clean water, and ensuring the safety of our local waterways.
We’re seeking dedicated volunteers who can commit to sampling regularly, helping us gather reliable data to keep the community informed and safe.
Responsibilities:
- Collect water samples from local beaches at assigned times.
- Submit test results and samples to the BWTF lab near the Santa Cruz Harbor for further analysis.
- Educate the community on the importance of clean water and safe beaches during sample collection.
Time Commitment:
- Once you sign up, we'll share a sampling schedule with you to see if it works with your location and schedule.
- Each sampling session takes about 1-2 hours, including travel to the beach, collecting water samples, and dropping the samples off near the Santa Cruz Harbor.
2. BWTF Lab Analyst
As a BWTF Lab Analyst, you’ll assist with analyzing water samples collected from local beaches and coastal sites. Working in our lab near the Santa Cruz Harbor, you’ll follow established procedures to test for water quality indicators and help identify potential pollution risks.
Your work will be critical in providing accurate, timely data that informs the community about water safety and supports efforts to protect the environment and public health.
We’re seeking dedicated volunteers who can commit to regular shifts, ensuring consistent and reliable testing to monitor and safeguard our local waterways. No experience required. Training provided.
Responsibilities:
- Analyze water samples for bacteria levels and other quality indicators.
- Record and report findings in Surfrider’s BWTF database.
- Maintain lab equipment and ensure all necessary supplies are available.
- Assist with ensuring compliance with state water quality standards.
- Once you sign up, we'll share a lab schedule with you to see if it works with your schedule.
- Lab analysis takes about 2-3 hours per session.
3. BWTF Coordinator
As the BWTF Coordinator, you'll play an essential role in protecting public health and the environment by coordinating the local water quality testing program that collects water samples from designated beach and coastal sites and delivering them to our testing lab near the Santa Cruz Harbor.
Your efforts will directly contribute to identifying potential pollution issues, promoting clean water, and ensuring the safety of our local waterways. Click here for the Program Coordinator Handbook.
Responsibilities:
- Act as the main point of contact and representative for the Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) program
- Determine sampling sites based on input from chapter, volunteers, partners, and local needs
- Manage BWTF volunteers by creating sampling and laboratory schedules
- Provide training for volunteers
- Ensure Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QAQC) measures are being properly followed for sampling and laboratory protocols
- Ensure all results are uploaded into BWTF website after each sampling event and communicated out to the chapter and local community
- Keep track of laboratory supplies and place orders with the Surfrider HQ BWTF Manager
- Troubleshoot laboratory issues with Surfrider HQ BWTF Manager
- Coordinators meet regularly with volunteers and Surfrider staff.
- Expect to commit 3-5 hours per week, depending on program needs.
Note: We already have a BWTF Coordinator, but can always use extra help. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator to learn more.
Benefits of Volunteering with the Blue Water Task Force
Free BWTF Training: Get trained on water quality testing methods, the science behind pollution, and the impact of water conditions on public health.
Community Engagement: Be part of the community’s efforts to keep local beaches safe for everyone.
Surfrider Events: Gain access to special Surfrider events, including cleanups, educational workshops, and social gatherings.
Hands-On Environmental Work: Gain practical experience in fieldwork and contribute to meaningful, real-world environmental projects.
Support a Critical Cause: By volunteering with the BWTF, you’ll be advocating for cleaner oceans and healthier beaches, making a positive impact on your local community.
How to get involved:
Sign up today: Answer a few quick questions about who you are and your experience (don't worry if you don't have any).
Attend an orientation: Get trained in water quality testing and Surfrider’s BWTF program.
Commit to Regular Actions: Participate in regular volunteer activity to keep the momentum going.
Start Sampling, Analyzing, or Coordinating: Choose your role and begin contributing to the health of our beaches and waters.
Engage with the Community: Help spread awareness and encourage others to get involved.
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The safety of our volunteers is a top priority. We provide clear instructions on how to safely collect samples and avoid exposure to hazardous conditions. We also equip volunteers with sampling poles and gloves to ensure their safety while collecting water samples.
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The water quality data provided by the BWTF program helps local agencies make informed decisions about beach closures, water safety advisories, and environmental protection measures. This data is essential for creating policies that protect both public health and the environment.
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Yes! If you are part of a school, community group, or organization, you can volunteer together as a team. This is a great way to engage groups in environmental conservation and water quality monitoring.
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We recommend samplers have access to a car to travel to beaches and the lab. Lab Techs generally do not need a car as the lab work is done just at the Santa Cruz Harbor.