One of the most important tools for creating a water monitoring program is setting expectations about what your group can and can’t do and what you’re trying to accomplish.
A lot of this comes from setting expectations: most members of the public have questions that citizen science can’t answer. For example, field tests for forever chemicals like PFAS are currently not available or affordable. However, there’s lots of things groups can do, and focusing their energy there is integral to your success.
There are also important behavioural expectations to set: how to keep people safe, how can people use the data, your organization’s brand, and more.
Examples of program charters and other governance documents for your inspiration: