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Surface Water Quality Monitoring Training

The format and structure were excellent; perfect balance of class and field time—course was never dull or 'dragging on'.

Past participant

Course Schedule

There are no courses scheduled at this time.

The Environmental Institute of Houston offers a two-part course covering surface water assessments utilizing the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ) Surface Water Quality Monitoring (SWQM) guidelines.

The courses take place at the University of Houston-Clear Lake campus. The training facility is located at the Environmental Institute of Houston’s offices and includes demonstration and hands-on practice with state-of-the-art sampling equipment. The trainers have extensive field experience with both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and TCEQ standard procedures. Course attendees will receive all necessary reference materials, and will receive a certification of completion at the end of the course.

Partial Course: Water Quality & Hydrological Monitoring (Day 1)

The partial course consists of a one-day training on water quality and hydrology monitoring. This partial course can serve as the required biennial Clean Rivers Program training for monitoring partners. This course will include classroom and field-based instruction designed to explain the theory and methodology of SWQM procedures with a hands-on component in local streams and bayous. One (1) Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is available for the partial course upon request.

Full Course: Partial + Biological & Physical Habitat Monitoring (Days 1-4)

The full course includes the one-day water quality and hydrology training as well as an additional three days covering biological and physical habitat monitoring. Participants of the full course will learn the skills to complete an aquatic life monitoring assessment. Both courses will include classroom and field-based instruction designed to explain the theory and methodology of SWQM procedures with a hands-on component in local streams and bayous. Three (3) CEUs are available for the full course upon request.

2024 Course Costs and Payment Information

Course Early Bird
Ends Jan. 29
Regular Registration
Jan. 30 – Feb. 18
Register
Partial Course (Monday Only)
1 day; water quality and hydrology
$250 $300 Closed
Full Course (Monday - Thursday)
4 days; water quality, hydrology,
biological, and physical habitat
$900 $1,000 Closed

Payment by Credit Card: Payment may be made through online registration.

Payment by Check or Money Order:
Please provide prompt payment (must be received no later than February 23, 2024) in the form of a check or money order made payable to University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Make checks and money orders payable to: 
University of Houston-Clear Lake with invoice number in the memo

Mail payment to:
Environmental Institute of Houston
Attn: Training
2700 Bay Area Blvd., Box 540
Houston TX 77058

For questions, call 281-283-3950 or email EIH@uhcl.edu.

Cancellation Policy: Refunds are not made for early dismissal, failure to attend, absences, or sick days. Refunds less a 15% fee will be made if your registration is canceled by February 18, 2024. No refund will be made for registration cancellation after February 18, 2024.

Location and Directions

Environmental Institute of Houston
2700 Bay Area Boulevard, NOA I
Houston, TX 77058

EIH is located in North Office Annex I (NOA I) on the University of Houston-Clear Lake campus. Park in Lot D4 (UHCL Entrance 3 on Middlebrook Dr.)

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Lodging

Lodging is not included as part of course registration. There are many options nearby for lodging.

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Trainer Profiles

Kaylei Chau

Kaylei Chau is a field research technician at the Environmental Institute of Houston. She served as the field team leader for the National Lakes Assessment in 2022. Chau has also participated in other national assessments and the Clean Rivers Program. She is currently studying floating wetland treatment designs and evaluating their ability to improve surface water quality.

Kaylei Chau

Mandi Gordon

Mandi Gordon is the primary physical habitat and benthic trainer. She is a senior biologist with the Environmental Institute of Houston and has participated in the Clean Rivers Program since 2011. Gordon has participated in various aquatic life monitoring projects as a field team leader and has assisted in data compilation and report writing. She was a national trainer for the Environmental Protection Agency's 2018 National Rivers and Streams Assessment.

Mandi Gordon

Sherah McDaniel

Sherah McDaniel is a research associate with the Environmental Institute of Houston. McDaniel serves as the quality assurance officer as well as manages supplies for the Texas Clean Rivers Program at EIH. She was also a team leader for the National Coastal Conditions Assessment and leads field operations for the Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program.

Sherah McDaniel

Dr. Jenny Oakley

Jenny Oakley is the associate director for research programs at EIH. She is the Clean Rivers Program trainer for all water quality monitoring conducted by EIH for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Oakley has also served as the team leader for the EPA national assessments in Texas including the Coastal, Wetlands, and Rivers and Streams. Additionally, she has served as a national trainer for the EPA for the 2015 National Coastal Condition Assessment protocols.

Jenny Oakley

If you have any questions about the course or registration process please contact EIH at 281-283-3950 or EIH@uhcl.edu.

Any individual requiring an accommodation in order to participate in this event or utilize these services will need to contact EIH at EIH@uhcl.edu in advance.

What Past Participants Are Saying

The trainers were very knowledgeable and made sure that we had a good understanding of the methodology and equipment.

"The trainers break down complicated methods well. Loved the class!"

"I enjoyed every minute of this course."

"The format of the course was fantastic. Being able to go to the field after lecture was the best way for me to learn."

"The class was great and exceeded my expectations."

"The trainers were fun to be around and very good instructors."

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