NYC Area Water Quality Data
Data, Graphs, and Maps
Grades9, 10, 11, 12Science, Social Studies
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Billion Oyster Project
What it is
- This resource is an interactive map where students can see current and inactive testing sites where the Community Water Quality Testing program has tested the water in New York and New Jersey estuaries.
- Students can click on sites on the map to find spreadsheets showing the results of weekly tests for the location.
Teaching tips
Positives
- This tool is important for students and community members to stay informed about the quality of surrounding waters.
- The resource includes vast amounts of data dating back to ten years ago.
Prerequisites
- Some of the location markers do not link to data sheets.
- Students should know how to navigate maps and read spreadsheets.
- Teachers may need to explain the key and map features to students before they explore the map.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Math students can practice graphing and analyzing the data for a testing site near them.
- Language arts students can write about the importance of water data and clean water.
- Students can write public advisories to inform others of sites with unacceptable water ratings.
- After viewing the map, students can discuss how climate change and human actions impact water quality.
From the scientist review
This resource presents up-to-date sampling data of enterococcus pollution in the NY-NJ estuary. Data is clearly presented in maps and tables with helpful color-coding. Climate change is not mentioned in this resource, but this data fully supports studies of climate-change-induced extreme weather events causing combined sewer overflows resulting in enterococcus pollution. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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