One of the greatest challenges to water quality, sediment, tissue and other citizen-based sampling efforts has been the high cost for professional laboratory services.  In 2004, Cook Inletkeeper worked to establish the Cook Inlet Community-Based Water Quality Laboratory – the first citizen-based water quality laboratory in Alaska (and possibly, the nation!).  Inletkeeper has equipped the lab to perform more sensitive monitoring, conduct follow-up analyses on anomalous data, and respond to pollution and storm events – creating a perfect environment for citizens and scientists to work together to monitor and protect the Cook Inlet watershed. 

Goal:  Expand the ability of Cook Inlet scientists to monitor and efficiently analyze nutrients in coastal watersheds, providing cost-effective access to the resources necessary to perform complex analytical, chemical and other assessments, and heighten the role of citizens in the collection and use of water quality data.

The most sophisticated instrument incorporated into the laboratory is an auto analyzer, which has expanded the ability of Cook Inlet scientists to monitor and efficiently analyze nutrients in coastal watersheds.  It is necessary to assess nutrient levels because nutrients are important to the food web.   High levels of nutrients can degrade watersheds by causing excessive algal growth, a decrease in dissolved oxygen, and fish kills. 

Overall, the lab presents a tremendous opportunity to grow and improve water quality monitoring programs in Cook Inlet, and will serve as a valuable source of sustainable income to support Inletkeeper’s monitoring programs.  Already Inletkeeper has secured several contracts with the Department of Transportation, Kachemak Bay Research Reserve, Mat-Su Borough, Kenai Watershed Forum and others.  For more information on laboratory services, contact Joel Cooper, Research Coordinator/Lab Manager at 907.235.4068 ext. 29 or email joel@inletkeeper.org.