Collections : Support an artwork on your roadtrips!

Huntly Power Station: sample collected opposite where treated water is pumped into the Waikato river. 

We were called down South from Auckland for a few days to attend a funeral this week. On the trip back North (with the little daylight we had) we collected nine water samples on SH1 between Wanganui and Taupo . If you're going out of town, even just a short way, chances are you'll cross a river or a stream, so keep a couple of containers in the car and stop off if you have time! 

 

Tongariro River - note the fisherman on the bridge base - the no-wet-feet approach to fly fishing.

I've created a collection device from an old juice bottle cut in half, and attached to fishing wire which I can collect samples off bridges from without getting wet, but have found many rivers/streams are readily accessible from the road, so you can just submerge one collection vessle.

Especially if you're in the South Island and using the same collector: Remembering to rinse with detergent solution** and dry between rivers! Say no to didymo! (alternatively, make several catchers)

Please keep spreading this project! The more people it reaches, the better it will be.

**Detergent Solution: soak or spray all surfaces for at least one minute in 5% dishwashing detergent or nappy cleaner (two large cups or 500mls with water added to make 10 litres);