Nutrient Monitoring and Comparison of On-Site Community Science Data Collection Methods for Indigenous Water Protection

Excessive nutrient loading in freshwater is a water quality and safety concern for Indigenous communities, especially those with inadequate water treatment. Continuous nutrient monitoring efforts in collaboration with community members require cost-effective but information-rich methods. Data gathered through community-science approaches could enhance source water protection programs and can provide first-hand knowledge and expertise through reciprocal information exchange with local community members. Yet, there are still misconceptions about the validity of data gathered by community scientists. This study validates the use of two inexpensive nutrient monitoring devices (YSI 9500 Photometer and the Nutrient Smartphone App) for community-based environmental research by testing the accuracy of each device, identifying nutrient hotspots, and determining if nutrient concentrations relate to precipitation patterns in a drought-prone region of Saskatchewan within the Lake Winnipeg Basin in Canada. We found that the measurement accuracy of these devices varied depending on the compound tested, with the poorest results for nitrate (r2 = 0.07) and the best results for phosphate (r2 = 0.89) when using the photometer. Seasonal nutrient concentration patterns differed between the years of moderate (2019) and low (2021) precipitation, but there was no correlation between rainfall amounts and nutrient concentrations, suggesting other drivers. This study identifies the strengths and weaknesses of cost-effective nutrient testing devices, guiding continuous monitoring efforts with communities.