South Platte Sally came to help out in 2020 quarantine times after traveling throughout the US and overseas. As many folks, Sally came home to be close to family and friends and help those from her home state of Colorado.  Along with several degrees in Fisheries Science, Biology, City Planning, and Psychology, Sally has worked in various labs and performed field work across the country.  Due to her unique DNA, Sally is immune to Covid-19, which makes her the perfect volunteer.  She is also lucky enough to be independently wealthy due to her family’s successful line of toys.  She only volunteers and never takes a paycheck. Maybe that’s why she always has a smile on her face. 

Her recent work on the South Platte River has been full of adventure.  She started with a season of electroshocking last Fall. Sally was able to score a prize-winning green sunfish at 72mm and 5g.  Of course, she is a fan of catch and release.  Other skills in her bag include sampling and analysis of rivers, lakes, and groundwater.  Sally assisted in a recent invasive aquatic plant survey and study, but results are still pending.  In the lab she’s working with other chemists to develop PFAS methodology. 

Look for future posts from Sally about all field and lab related topics.

Michelle Neilson, Water Quality Scientist, has been with Metro Wastewater for over 12 years.  She has a B.S. in Chemistry, and has 23 years of experience in the Environmental field.  Michelle has worked for USGS, contract laboratories, and several municipal wastewater and drinking water labs prior to Metro Wastewater.