The Pennypack Trust is participating in Winter Salt Week.  Winter Salt Week is a week dedicated to raising awareness around salt pollution and reduction solutions. The winter salt week website has resources and information if you want to learn more and register for the webinars.

To culminate winter salt week, the Pennypack Trust and the TTF Watershed Partnership are hosting a “Salt Blitz” in partnership with the Stroud Water Research Center to get a snapshot of how salty our water is in local watersheds. We will have volunteers, staff, and schools collecting water samples in bottles. Our staff will analyze these samples for conductivity and chloride. Then, all of the data will be added to this map: https://swrc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6de8e168d1674679a316533dd58a7abe

PERT is sampling the upper reaches of the Pennypack Creek and as many tributaries as possible. In addition, you are welcome to sample any portion of the Pennypack Creek Watershed OR the Tookany-Tacony Frankford Watershed. January 30^th is the target date. If you can’t participate on the target date, collect samples and do measurements before January 30, but please aim for January 30^th.

There are two options for submitting a sample. Please confirm your site selection with Kevin (kroth@pennypacktrust.org) or Ryan (ryan@ttfwatershed.org). Choose sites that are safe and legal to access. Do not enter private property without permission.

• You/ your group can select a site that you are curious about, is local to your school/work/home, etc.
• You/ your group can work with our staff to choose a pre-selected site(s). If you are a Streamkeeper, you can sample at the site(s) that you currently monitor. We are looking to sample as many tributaries to the Pennypack Creek as possible. We want to sample the smallest streams that feed into the mainstem. Here is a map of some of the sites/areas we are interested in: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1xbYX5LyFJCkC2h1shRDftEqby8AnHjE&usp=sharing. Please note: We have not been able to visit all the sites to make sure there is access. In the days leading up to the sampling, it is strongly recommended that you visit the site(s) you plan to take samples from to ensure there is safe and legal access, and to determine the best spot to sample.

If you are going to your own site to collect a sample:

1. Download and print the salt snapshot sample data sheet.
   1. PERT will fill in the spaces for chloride and conductivity.
2. While at your sample site, record the location as precisely as possible by dropping a pin in a mapping app on your phone.
3. Collect about two cups of water in a clean container for each sample. Make sure to rinse your bottle with creek water three times before filling for your sample. Make sure the sample is completely sealed tight. Fill out the site name/location, time, date, and name of the person/group sampling on the label on the bottle.
4. Fill out the data form with your sample information.
5. Bring your samples and data form to the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust on January 30^th between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM and we’ll test it with you. Drop off will be located at headquarters in the BLBB Classroom at the back of the main office building.

If you are sampling a site that is pre-selected:

1. Collect about two cups of water in a clean container for each sample. Make sure to rinse your bottle with creek water three times before filling for your sample. Make sure the sample is completely sealed tight.
2. Fill out the site name/location, time, date, and name of the person/group sampling on the label on the bottle.
3. Bring your sample(s) to the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust on January 30^th between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Drop off will be located at headquarters in the BLBB Classroom at the back of the main office building.

Full sampling instructions:

You will need the following:

• A sealable plastic, glass, or metal container. Arrange a pickup time prior to January 30^th to get a bottle from PERT or TTF.
• A piece of masking tape, or painter’s tape, and a marker or pen to label your sample with date, time, name(s), and site name/location.
• Proper personal equipment for taking a stream sample (waterproof boots, proper clothing, etc.)
• Winter stream sampling can be dangerous depending on environmental and stream conditions, water temperature, etc. It is suggested that you take samples with another person, or let someone know where you are going, when you are going, and when you plan to return.
• Watch this video to see how to take a sample: https://youtu.be/pRW6je9D6g8?si=PTcHWI3TNkGXr-9t

If you want to get involved, let me know, and we can arrange site selection and supply drop off/pick up. If you need a bottle prior to the event, please arrange a time to stop by and pick one up.