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Become a Water Reporter

Getting Started: sign up for Water Reporter

Step 1: Download the Water Reporter app on your smartphone

There are two ways to download the Water Reporter app, either search your phone’s app store or use the links provided here.

Once the app is installed, open it.

Step 2: Sign up to create your account

See the screenshots of these steps below.

2.1 Enter your first name, last name, email address, and a password and click “Sign Up for Water Reporter”.

2.2 Join the Friends of Casco Bay group by typing “Friends of Casco Bay” in the search bar. Then tap the green circle. The circle will fill, indicating that you have joined our group.

Click the checkmark in the upper right after you have selected our group.

NOTE: You can leave groups at any time from your profile page and the group’s feed. You can join more groups by searching for their feed and selecting ‘follow’.

2.3 On the next screen you can choose specific people to follow. When you follow people, their posts will appear in your global feed, a stream of posts that is relevant to you. Since you’ll see posts from our group, you can also skip this step by tapping the instruction to do so. Tap the checkmark in the upper right to save your settings.

2.4 Set up your profile and notifications: Tap the menu icon, a stack of three lines, in the upper left-hand corner. Select Edit Profile.

Complete your Profile
Add a simple bio. Consider identifying yourself as a Friends of Casco Bay volunteer and sharing how you enjoy Casco Bay. Then, change your profile photo. We encourage you to personalize your account so that we all can fully embrace the community aspect of Water Reporter.

Confirm Notifications
Water Reporter will send you notifications whenever someone likes or comment on your posts.

Tap the checkmark in the upper right to save your settings.

Congrats, on setting up your account. There is just one more step before making a test post.

Step 3: Make sure your Location Services are turned on outside of the Water Reporter app.

  • iPhone: Go into Settings, click on “Privacy” and then “Location Services” make sure the toggle is green.
  • Android: Open your device’s Settings app.
    Tap Security & Location and then Location. (If you don’t see “Security & Location,” tap Location.)
    Turn Location on.

You are ready to create your first post. See how here.

Step 4: Complete our Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liability Form

If you haven’t already completed a Volunteer Application including the Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liability Form, please complete the following form to finish your registration as a Water Reporter.

Water Reporter Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liability Form

  • Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liability Form This Release and Waiver of Liability (the “release”) executed on the date this form is completed by the volunteer ("Volunteer") who completes this form releases Friends of Casco Bay, a nonprofit corporation existing under the laws of the State of Maine, and each of their directors, officers, employees, and agents. The Volunteer desires to provide volunteer services for Friends of Casco Bay and engage in activities relating to serving as a volunteer to protect the environmental health of Casco Bay. Volunteer understands that the scope of Volunteer’s relationship with Friends of Casco Bay is limited to a volunteer position and that no compensation is expected in return for services provided by Volunteer; that Friends of Casco Bay will not provide any benefits traditionally associated with employment to Volunteer; and that Volunteer is responsible for his/her own insurance coverage in the event of personal injury or illness as a result of Volunteer’s service to Friends of Casco Bay.
    1. Waiver and Release: I, the Volunteer, release and forever discharge and hold harmless Friends of Casco Bay and their successors and assigns from any and all liability, claims, and demands of whatever kind of nature, either in law or in equity, which arise or may hereafter arise from the services I provide to Friends of Casco Bay. I understand and acknowledge that this Release discharges Friends of Casco Bay from any liability or claim that I may have against Friends of Casco Bay with respect to bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death, or property damage that may result from the services I provide to Friends of Casco Bay and occurring while I am providing volunteer services.
    2. Insurance: Further I understand that Friends of Casco Bay do not assume any responsibility for or obligation to provide me with financial or other assistance, including but not limited to medical, health or disability benefits or insurance of any nature in the event of my injury, illness, death or damage to my property. I expressly waive any such claim for compensation or liability on the part of Friends of Casco Bay beyond what may be offered freely by Friends of Casco Bay in the event of such injury or medical expenses incurred by me.
    3. Medical Treatment: I hereby Release and forever discharge Friends of Casco Bay from any claim whatsoever which arises or may hereafter arise on account of any first-aid treatment or other medical services rendered in connection with an emergency during my tenure as a volunteer with Friends of Casco Bay.
    4. Assumption of Risk: I understand that the services I provide to Friends of Casco Bay may include inherently dangerous activities that may be hazardous to me including, but not limited to water sampling and/or attending events that are near or on the ocean, slippery docks, rocks, piers, wharves, and boats. As a volunteer, I hereby expressly assume the risk of injury or harm from these activities and release Friends of Casco Bay from all liability for injury, illness, death, or property damage resulting from the services I provide as a volunteer and occurring while I am providing volunteer services.
    5. Photographic Release: I grant and convey to Friends of Casco Bay all rights, title, and interests in any and all photographs, images, video, or audio recordings of me or my likeness or voice made by Friends of Casco Bay in connection with my providing volunteer services to Friends of Casco Bay.
    6. Email Signup: We would like to contact you from time to time to tell you about important updates about the health of Casco Bay, special events, and how you can support our mission. Please opt in to receiving these updates by sharing your email address below. You can opt out at any time by clicking the unsubscribe links at the bottom of each email.
    7. Other: As a volunteer, I expressly agree that this Release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the State of Maine and that this Release shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Maine. I agree that in the event that any clause or provision of this Release is deemed invalid, the enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Release shall not be affected.
    By completing this form and checking the box below, I express my understanding and intent to enter into this Release and Waiver of Liability willingly and voluntarily.