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
2025 Course Schedule
Partial Course: March 17
Full Course: March 17–20
Early Bird Registration Ends: Feb. 10
Registration Closes: March 2
The Environmental Institute of Houston and the Houston-Galveston Area Council are collaborating to offer a two-part course on surface water assessments. Guided by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Surface Water Quality Monitoring (SWQM) guidelines, this course combines classroom learning with field-based instruction.
The courses will be held at the University of Houston-Clear Lake campus, utilizing the Environmental Institute of Houston’s training facilities. Participants will gain practical experience using state-of-the-art sampling equipment through field practice in local waterways. The trainers bring extensive field experience, having worked with both Environmental Protection Agency and TCEQ standard procedures. Course attendees will be provided all necessary reference materials and will receive a certificate of completion upon finishing 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.
2025 Course Costs and Payment Information
| Course | Early Bird Ends Feb. 10 |
Regular Registration Feb. 11 – March 2 |
Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partial Course (Monday Only) 1 day; water quality and hydrology |
$250 | $300 | Partial Course |
| Full Course (Monday - Thursday) 4 days; water quality, hydrology, biological, and physical habitat |
$900 | $1,000 | Full Course |
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 March 7, 2025) 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 March 2, 2025. No refund will be made for registration cancellation after March 2, 2025.
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.)
Lodging
Lodging is not included as part of course registration. There are many options nearby for lodging.
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.
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.
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.
Dr. Jenny Oakley
Jenny Oakley is a senior water resources scientist with the Houston-Galveston Area Council and a research affiliate with EIH. She was 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 served as a national trainer for the EPA for the 2015 National Coastal Condition Assessment protocols.
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 the Environmental Institute of Houston 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."
Contact
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Environmental Institute of Houston
Phone: 281-283-3950
Email: eih@uhcl.eduNorth Office Annex
2700 Bay Area Blvd, Box 540
Houston, TX 77058-1002
