About the Program:
RBV is a citizen-based water quality-monitoring program developed by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection's (CT DEP) ambient monitoring program. The RBV program is a standardized screening method that keeps the equipment, expertise, and time commitment to a minimum while simultaneously identifying sections of streams with pollution sensitive organisms. In some instances, more formal DEP methods may be required to provide a definitive water quality assessment.

The entire RBV process is completed at the stream and usually takes 2-3 hours. The final product is a completed RBV data sheet and a voucher collection (one of each type of organism observed). RBV training is available free of charge for groups of 6 or more adults.

Program Materials: 

Brochure - Program Information on Rapid Bioassessment in Wadeable Streams and Rivers by Volunteer Monitors (PDF, 460K)

2008 Summary of Volunteer Monitoring Program (PDF, 2060K)
(Note: Summaries for prior years may be obtained by contacting Mike Beauchene at (860) 424-4185 or mike.beauchene@ct.gov)

Part 1: Program Description (PDF, 1362K) - This document describes the Rapid Bioassessment in Wadeable Streams and Rivers by Volunteer Monitors (RBV) program.

RBV 2008: Accompanying Power Point Presentation (PDF, 6590K)

Part 2: Instructions (PDF, 1560K) - This document provides step by step instructions for the RBV protocol and provides a consistent method for volunteer groups to use when submitting surface water quality information to DEP.

Instructions: Accompanying Power Point Presentation (PDF, 6249K)

Macroinvertebrate Field Identification Cards (PDF, 539K) - At the core of the RBV program are the macroinvertebrates represented on these cards. Each organism has distinct shape, structure, color, or behavior and provides key ecological information about the stream environment. Each card lists the common name across the top and the category at the bottom. These bands are color-coded based on the ecology of each organism.

• Blue = Most Wanted. In general these organisms require a narrow range of environmental conditions. When found in abundance one can infer non-impaired stream condition.
• Yellow = Moderately Wanted. These organisms can be found in a variety of water quality conditions. When found in abundance further information about the upstream watershed may be necessary to infer water quality.
• Red = Least Wanted. These organisms tend to be very tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions. As a result when these organisms comprise the majority of a sample, one can infer some level of water quality impairment.

Data sheet (PDF, 122K) - This is the official data sheet for the RBV protocol. It should be submitted along with the collection of macroinvertebrate vouchers to Mike Beauchene, Volunteer Monitoring Coordinator, at phone (860) 424-4185, fax (860) 424-4055, or mike.beauchene@ct.gov

Macroinvertebrate Sorting Guide (PDF, 261K) - This 1 page flow chart will assist volunteer monitors in narrowing their macroinvertebrate identification choice. The flow chart is not designed to be a comprehensive key for macroinvertebrates. The chart should be used for preliminary sorting and grouping when implementing the RBV protocol.

Quality Assurance Project Plan (PDF, 163K)- A Quality Assurance Project Plan is a document that provides a plan to insure data collected for a specific project will meet a particular standard.  A QAPP is required for any water quality monitoring program that receives funding through EPA.  This document is a template that can be used by any volunteer monitoring program intending collect macroinvertebrate community data using the RBV method.  Standardized guidance for QAPP can be found on the EPA volunteer monitoring web page: www.epa.gov/OWOW/monitoring/vol.html

For additional information, please contact  Mike Beauchene, Volunteer Monitoring Coordinator, at (860) 424-4185 or mike.beauchene@ct.gov

Volunteer Monitoring