The Inspection Team of Rivers

水巡守工具學

2021.07.25

｜

3 min Read

造成水污染的問題錯綜難解，試著從問題源頭釐清出解法需要頗長的時間以及眾人的努力，但關切住家附近的河川並注重清潔則是每個人都可以簡單做到的事情。

地方上的水巡守隊便是環境保護的糾察隊，集結了社區中希望為環境盡一份心力的人，除了定時淨溪及監測水質以外，環境綠化、教育宣導與生態保育觀察等也是他們努力的目標。

這次我們拜訪在淨溪活動上頗有名聲的桃園老街溪水巡守隊，他們在水巡守隊的競賽中是常勝軍，聽到我們想參訪他們淨溪活動都感到很開心。我們約在老街溪旁的廟宇廣場集合，這次參與的隊員大約十來個，都穿上了巡守隊的背心，手拿長夾與垃圾袋。帶領的彭隊長在簡單說明他們淨溪程序後，便帶著我們出發。

The problem of water pollution is intricate. Trying to clarify the source of the problem takes a long time and everyone's efforts. However, it is easy for everyone to pay attention to the rivers near their homes.

The local inspection team of rivers is taking the responsibility for our environment. It gathers people in the community who want to contribute to the environment. In addition to regularly cleaning the stream and monitoring of water quality, environmental greening, education and publicity, and ecological conservation observation are all included in their goals.

This time we visited the Taoyuan Old Street Stream inspection team, which is well-known for its activities. We gathered at a temple nearby the stream. About ten members participated this time. All of them put on the vests of the inspect team, holding long clips and garbage bags in their hands.

【同樣的工具，不同的使用智慧】

首先第一站我們來到溪邊，準備用環保署提供的水質檢測包進行水質檢測。這組檢測工具網路上也買得到，將藥劑溶入待測液體後可以依據顯示顏色檢測其酸鹼度與溶氧量。

為了這次的田野調查我們也購入了同樣的檢測工具，但巡守隊告訴我們許多由他們經驗累積而來的使用小撇步，比如測溶氧量的藥片要先壓碎才會溶比較快，以及可以用加了繩子的取水容器丟入較深的河川中央取水。這些都是說明書不會提的，是靠巡守隊員們慢慢試錯、積累出來的知識。

[ Same Tools, Different Usage ]

At the first stop, they used the testing kit for water quality testing. This set of testing tools is also available on the Internet. After dissolving the pills into the liquid to be tested, the pH and dissolved oxygen can be tested according to the displayed color.

We also purchased the same testing tools, but inspection team told us many tips. For example, tablets for testing dissolved oxygen must be crushed into ashes so that they could dissolve faster. And adding a rope to the container for collecting the water could make it easier to collect from the center of the stream. These are not mentioned in the manual, but all gathered through trial and error by the members.

【淨溪工具的誕生】

沿著溪流走沒多久，便看到幾個寶特瓶與垃圾袋漂在水面。因為這段路是無法下水的，離水面距離也很遠，巡守隊先拿出了一個可伸長至八公尺的長網竿撈取，撈到了寶特瓶還附帶兩條死魚。但網竿長且重，需兩人操作，花了一些時間依然撈不到更遠的塑膠袋，隊員們便拿出大型錨鉤，綁著較長繩子的錨鉤可以丟到比較遠的塑膠袋旁，再拉回並試圖勾取塑膠袋。

來回了好幾次，才終於完成這個看似簡單的工作，不過是撿幾個垃圾，卻需要花好長的時間。我們好奇地問隊員這些「淨溪工具」是哪裡來的，隊員說大部份是他們自己找相似的工具來使用，雖然有些難清理的垃圾可以通報環保局來處理，但通常環保局無法馬上前來，與其等待，不如自己想辦法找工具解決，這些看似專業但實際並不是為了淨溪製造的工具因此誕生。

古時的人大概無法想像「淨溪」這個行為竟然演變為一個團體需要定時執行的活動吧，雖然這不是一個學科，沒有專屬工具，但也是富含知識經驗，各區域的巡守隊也會需要互相參訪、互相學習各自發展積累出的工作模式。

[Birth of the Tools for Stream Cleaning]

Not long after walking along the stream, we saw a few PET bottles and garbage bags floating on the water. Because the distance from the place was too long, the team took out a long net that can stretch to eight meters. The net was long and heavy that required two people to operate it. After spending some time, the plastic bag was still unreachable. The team member took out a large anchor hook. The anchor hook tied with a longer rope and so it can be thrown further. After going back and forth several times, we finally got the bag. The task seemed so easy, but it took a long time to finish.

We curiously asked the team members where these "stream cleaning tools" came from. The team members said that most of them are created by themselves with similar tools. Since it took some time for the Environmental Protection Agency to come, it was better that they find ways to solve it. And that was why they had these tools for stream cleansing.

People in ancient times probably couldn’t imagine how the behavior of "stream cleaning" turned into an activity that a group needs to perform regularly. Although stream cleaning is not a profession that has exclusive tools, it still requires rich knowledge and experience. The inspection teams in different regions visit each other and learn from each other's working process.

【一個新的生活方式】

最後一站來到了巡守隊為了綠化環境種植的櫻花樹園，樹還沒長大，說是上週才種下的，隊員開心地拿著樹上掛著的牌子給我們看。

在言談之中總是能感受到巡守隊員對於團隊的響亮成果感到榮譽與驕傲，但其實讓人印象深刻的是其中一個隊員有點靦腆地說，其實他也不是想說要保護環境什麼的，而是很自然地，希望自己住家附近可以乾乾淨淨，也喜歡與大家一起行動，這其實就是他生活的一部分。他好像因為覺得自己不是因為在履行什麼重大的責任而感到不好意思，但其實這樣的精神更是難得。

有時候對於「環保」的響應似乎讓我們覺得自己活得更有意識，但是其實這不應該是某種該「被響應」或是該「被誇讚」的行動，我們不用覺得沈重，不用覺得任重道遠，這應該要跟我們早上要吃早餐，渴了要喝水一樣的自然簡單。

對於環境的愛護之心，就是生活的一部分。關於這點，我們也都還在學習。

[ A new way of life ]

At the last stop, we came to a garden with sakura planted by the team. It is for making the environment greener. The trees haven’t grown up yet. They were planted last week. The team members happily showed the signs hanging on the trees to us.

During the visit, we can always feel that the members were honored and proud of the team’s resounding results. But what was really impressive is that how they treated it as part of life. One member said shyly that he does this just for having fun with others and to make the living environment better, not with an aim to protect the global environment. This was just part of his life. He seemed to feel embarrassed because he felt that he was not fulfilling any major responsibilities, but in fact, such a spirit was even more rare.

Sometimes the response to "environmental protection" seems to make us feel more conscious of our lives, but in fact this should not be an action that should be "responded" or "praised". This should be as natural and simple as having breakfast in the morning and drinking water when we are thirsty. Caring for the environment is part of life. For this pirit, we are still learning.

特別感謝：桃園老街溪水巡守隊
Special thanks: Taoyuan Old Street Stream Guard Team

‍