In April of 2019, crew members from the X-Cel Conservation Corps (XCC) were trained by the Neponset River Watershed Association in how to properly collect water samples, collect data such as water temperature and pH, and then how to test the water samples in the laboratory for the presence and amounts of E.coli.

Over the next six months, XCC crew members collected water samples from five different water bodies in the Neponset River watershed.

Water samples were then brought back to the Neponset Watershed Association headquarters so that XCC crew members could measure pH and E. Coli contamination in the water samples.

The partnership between XCC and Neponset Watershed Association allows the gathering of water quality data from water bodies that are unassessed or haven’t been assessed in at least 10 years to be submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, where it can be analyzed and steps can be taken to improve water quality in the Neponset River Watershed.

Led by XCC Executive Director, Don Sands, and group leader, Aaron Dale, members that participated in the program include:

Julio Nunez, Yiovani Castillo, TaiLonne Crawford-Jones, Peter Matthews, Shan Tahatdil, Thomas Connelly, Raymon Polanco, Elvis Julian, Garry Johnson, Tashawn Moody-Whitley, Chantel Henderson, Latiana Holmes, Aram Crenshaw, and Christian Gravina.

X-Cel Education was founded in 2000 as a 501(c)(3) organization by two adult educators with a combined twenty years of experience in adult education. X-Cel’s mission is to make high school completion, post-secondary study, and sustainable career paths more accessible to underserved communities in Greater Boston, by providing flexible, customized instruction and career readiness development at no cost in convenient community locations. Learn more at www.x-celeducation.org/

This project has been financed with State Capital Funds from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (the Department) under a Watershed Monitoring Grant. The contents do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Department, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation of use.”