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Water Samples
Staff using a bottle to collect a water sample in a stream.
We collect samples at 18 locations every three months. Each location is a major tributary or stream that flows to the Neuse River.
We use water quality meters to read chemical data and take water samples. An independent lab analyzes the samples. This information helps gauge stream health. It is also a requirement of our stormwater permit.
See where we're monitoring | You can help us monitor streams!
Aquatic Insect Samples
Staff using a kick net to collect insect samples.
Benthic macroinvertebrates are aquatic insects that live in streams. They include aquatic worms, snails, clams, and crayfish.
Samples are taken at 22 stream locations once a year. We use kick nets and D-nets to collect and study the insects.
Water Quality Indicators
These insects are a good indicator of water quality since they typically live in a stream for 1-3 years.
Good to Excellent: Large, diverse population sensitive to pollution
Fair to Poor: Smaller, less diverse population more tolerant to pollution
Did You Know?
They are large enough to see without a microscope. The meaning for benthic macroinvertebrates also comes from:
- Benthic = bottom of a waterbody
- Macro = large
- Invertebrate = animal without a backbone