We are a collective of professionals with a passion for the waterways of Aotearoa.
We are all general aware that there has been a man-made degradation of our rivers and lakes during our lifetimes. There is no doubting the causes are population, industrialisation, forestry, and agricultural intensification. There are frequent scientific, environmental, and journalistic articles imploring change. But how much do we as the general public understand the cause, impact and potential mitigations. How aware are we of the real time state of the river down the road from our place?
Conditions change, the level of nitrate, phosphorus, soluble, varies and can be impacted by direct means (weed spray, industrial discharge, aerial fertiliser, etc) and as the result of weather events washing the same from the surrounding land or up stream.
Most of the monitoring of conditions come from the method of regular grab sampling and lab testing. Whilst useful, this tends to show only a partial picture at a point in time.
Let’s Be Clear aims to change this. As we further develop our data points and dashboards (with your help), our vision is an open source of real time data across New Zealand. Easily understandable and presented to you via our website.
Our monitoring transmits data in < hourly intervals with analysis using the expertise our team has built up over a number of years. We are currently focused on the Upper Waikato using our own equipment (DCM Process Control) and supported by the generosity of local community members who provide access and power.
Our mission is to extend this network and bring that information direct to you. For this we need to raise awareness, increase support, and gain funding. Please add your name to our database for regular updates on our progress. If you are able to contribute funding or expertise we can add you to our list of supporters.