Water Quality

Welcome to Water Quality! In this event, participants will be assessed on their understanding and evaluation of marine and estuary aquatic environments.

The information below should not be interpreted as an extension of the rules. You can find free online copies of the current rules for download on the 2027 Rules page of the Science Olympiad website. The official rules in the current Rules Manual take precedence. This event is generously supported by our Water Education partner, Current and NSF Great Lakes RENEW Engine.

Resources & Links

Current Season Resources

• Coming soon!

Previous Seasons Resources

• Overview of Water Quality
• Website Resources for 2026 Season
• Handouts
  • Overview of Competition
  • Freshwater Ecology
  • Macroinvertebrates & Nuisance Species
  • Analysis - Freshwater
• Practice Activity - 1
• Practice Activity - 2
• Practice Activity - 3
• 2019 Overview
  • 2019 Handouts
    • Freshwater Ecology
    • Macroinvertebrates
    • Freshwater
  • 2019 PowerPoint

Science Olympiad Store Materials

• 2027 National Test Packet
• Ward's Science Olympiad Kits

PRACTICE PROBLEMS & TESTS 

• Practice Test - 2026 BullSO Invitational
• Practice Test - 2026 Wichita Heights High School Invitational
• Practice Test - 2026 GullSO Invitational
• Practice Test - 2026 Northview Invitational
• Practice Test - 2026 Hawk & Hornet Invitational
• 2019 Sample Test

EVENT SUPERVISOR RESOURCES

In addition to the resources on the Event Supervisors page, Water Quality Event Supervisors should be sure to use the following resources:

• Event Logistics Resource - coming soon!
• 2026 Season - Event Supervisor Guide 

CAREER CONNECTIONS

• US Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Outlook: Environmental Scientists
• Career One Stop Environmental Restoration Planners 
• National Wildlife FederationWater Resources Careers Outlook 
• Careers for Marine, Estuarine, and Freshwater Biology Majors