On April 29, four North Shore Wai Care groups were represented at the inaugural Wai Care Mystery Sampling Event held at Auckland Zoo.

Wai Care is a water quality monitoring, education and action programme for community groups and schools throughout the Auckland region.

The sampling event was held so that groups could practice and fine-tune their monitoring and reporting skills to ensure the data they collect is reliable.

The groups tested water from Puhinui Stream and Motions Creek for temperature, clarity, pH and levels of dissolved oxygen, phosphorous, nitrite and nitrate.

The Wai Care results were compared to samples tested by Watercare Services Ltd to determine whether any changes to Wai Care equipment or techniques are necessary.

North Shore City Council's Wai Care Facilitator, Jo Harrison, says early results are encouraging. "The initial results are really positive," she says.

A full report will be available on Wai Care's redeveloped website at www.waicare.org.nz.

Above: Trevor LeSueur (left) and Trevor Marks carry out clarity tests at the Mystery Sampling Event.