As part of Auburn University’s precautionary measures amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the Alabama Water Watch Program Office closed on March 16, at 5 pm. The current plan is for the office to reopen on June 30th, and we will provide updates as possible.
All Alabama Water Watch related programs and workshops during this time period are postponed. Please visit the AWW website for details regarding specific events. AWW will continue to go about daily operations during the closure as AWW Staff will be working remotely during this time.
4/30/2020 – Governor Ivey issued a Safer-At-Home Order that superseded the Stay-At-Home Order starting on Thursday, April 30th at 5pm and will remain in effect until at least May 15th. Although, this order eases some statewide restrictions, please continue to take into consideration your personal health and safety, please review the Safer-at-Home fact sheet link below as you determine whether or not it is in your best interest to conduct water monitoring.
4/6/2020 – Governor Ivey issued a Stay-At-Home Order that went into effect on Saturday, April 4th. Therefore, in addition to taking into consideration your personal health and safety, please review the Order (see link below) as you determine whether or not it is in your best interest to conduct water monitoring.
https://governor.alabama.gov/assets/2020/04/Final-Statewide-Order-4.3.2020.pdf
Also, be aware that many public recreation areas are now closed to the public. The Alabama State Parks and National Forests of Alabama have listed current closings on their websites. Check with local officials about any parks or recreational areas in your communities.
USDA Forest Service Closed Areas: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/alabama/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD716412
AL State Parks Info: https://www.outdooralabama.com/COVID-19?fbclid=IwAR273aZnuIt6vsulZ-1k02zkl1EZh
To read about general safety recommendations and other concerns related to COVID-19 and water monitoring, please see this additional article, COVID-19 Water Monitoring Concerns.
Please note that AWW is currently able to receive data, process data, answer questions, make tentative plans for future workshops, etc. just as we would when the office is open. However, monitoring supplies will not be available for check-out from the AWW office while we are closed. Mail is being delivered sporadically to the office; however, any data or workshop forms sent by mail will take longer than normal to be processed. Please keep copies of any data you send through the mail. We encourage you to send data by email or online if possible during this time.
You can reach AWW Staff email and phone during regular office hours, 8:00am-5:00pm. If you call, leave a detailed voicemail including your name and phone number. AWW Staff will receive all voicemails through email and will return your call.
The health and safety of our volunteer trainers, monitors, partners, and surrounding communities is our top priority. Please see the resources below for more information on COVID-19 and how to protect yourself and your community.
Auburn University’s COVID-19 Information website: https://ocm.auburn.edu/news/coronavirus/?nlan
Alabama Cooperative Extension System resources: https://www.aces.edu/blog/tag/coronavirus/?details=true
Center for Disease Control – Water Transmission and COVID-19
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html
Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
AWW Staff
Hi Jo Ellen, we ask that monitors take precautions while monitoring their sites, and consider their personal health when deciding whether or not they would like to monitor during this time. We just posted and update regarding potential risks with monitoring http://wp.auburn.edu/aww/covid-19-water-monitoring-concerns/ that will provide more information. Please contact our office at awwprog@auburn.edu if you have any questions or need assistance.
Should we still do our monthly water testing?