**This page has been UPDATED FOR 2026**
General Steps in the Water Quality Practicum:
First, participants will determine 4 water quality attributes with samples provided at the practicum site:
∎ Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
∎ Temperature
∎ Turbidity
∎ pH
Next, participants will indicate if the water quality is suitable for a situation and related organism(s) identified at the site.
Then, participants will describe potential limiting factors that influence water quality.
Finally, participants will explain ways the water quality can be improved.
Instruments for Water Quality Assessment:
Water from the stream or pond will be placed in containers or tubs at four stations. The following equipment will be available for participants to assess water quality attributes.
- Dissolved Oxygen (DO) will be measure with a 0.0-40 mg/L DO meter designed for pools and ponds.
- Participants will measure pH using a handheld pH testing meter.
- Temperature will be determined using a standard alcohol thermometer.
- Turbidity will be assessed with a Turbidity Tube with Secchi Disk.
Interpreting Effects, Limiting Factors, and Water Quality Improvement:
The most challenging aspect of this practicum is to describing “Effects on the Environment,” “Limiting Factors” and “How an Water Quality be Improved?”
- First a situation will be described to determine if water characteristics of good or bad.
- Refer to this document which is a summary of Idaho State standards from Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.
Information from Past Events:
The water quality practicum was revised in 2024:
∎ 2024 Score Card | 2024 Setting | 2024 WQ Scoring Guidelines
Idaho Environmental and Natural Resource CDE 