Ross students present creek water tests, flag coliform presence and urge pet-waste cleanup

A class of Ross School students presented the results of a water-quality project on Corte Madera Creek to the Ross Town Council on Oct. 9, finding most measured variables in acceptable ranges but detecting coliform bacteria in both fall and spring samples.

The presentation, introduced by Andrea Myers, a former STEM teacher at Ross School now teaching second grade, said the fifth-grade team tested temperature, dissolved oxygen, coliform, nitrate, phosphate, pH and turbidity in fall and spring comparisons. Students summarized results in a short video and recommended community action to reduce sources of contamination.

The students reported that most measures were “favorable,” but that coliform bacteria — which the students said commonly originates from mammal fecal matter — tested positive in both sampling events. Student presenters advised residents to pick up pet waste and keep animals out of the creek. They also reported temperature readings of about 18 degrees Celsius in September and 16 degrees Celsius in April and described nitrate readings of about 5 parts per million in both sampling periods.

Mayor McMillan thanked the class and suggested coordinating with the town clerk to prepare a summary for the November Ross Review to both share the data and “gently remind Ross residents” to clean up after pets. Town staff also encouraged the students to submit their data to the Town Manager and the Public Works Director for technical review; the Public Works Director noted the town’s annual creek cleanup and said staff could provide comments on how the test results might inform future efforts.

Andrea Myers told the council the current sixth graders had completed the tests while in fifth grade and that the incoming class was considering continuing the project in 2026. Council members praised the students’ work and asked staff to advise on how to present the testing to the broader community so the data could help local creek stewardship.

The presentation did not include specific lab accreditation details, chain-of-custody documentation, or analytical laboratory names; the students’ talk and video described field test kits and classroom-based analyses. Council members who spoke encouraged further collaboration with town staff and suggested that additional or lab-based confirmatory testing could be useful if the town or residents decide to act on the coliform finding.

The council did not take formal action on the students’ findings at the meeting; staff were asked to accept the students’ submission and provide guidance on possible next steps and public communication.