drain TRADER
Post Pandemic
environmental monitoring Author: Matt Dibbs, Managing Director Meteor Communications Ltd.
The Coronavirus pandemic presented significant challenges to the collection of environmental data. However, by utilising novel technology, water companies and the Environment Agency have been able to continue gathering key data in locations from Cornwall to Cumbria.
Water quality monitoring
The EnvironmentAgency andwater utilities have statutory obligations to protect and enhance water resources; and in order to fulfil these obligations they undertake large numbers of measurements to establish baseline data, detect trends, monitor mitigation measures, and identify sources of pollution fromboth point and diffuse sources. This involvesmaking a range of measurements; either collecting samples for laboratory analysis or employing portable instruments in the
field.To support these activities, rapidly deployable, automatic, remote monitoring systems have also been developed to provide real- time access to data 24/7. The EnvironmentAgency’s Environmental Sensor Network (ESNET) is operated by theNational Laboratory
Service.This agilemonitoring capability of over 150 sites is providing a template for sustainable, resilient, environmental monitoring. ESNET is comprised of modular water quality monitoring systems that can be quickly and easily deployed at remote
sites.The telemetry modules andwebsite capability are developed and supplied byMeteorCommunications Ltd. The laboratory analysis of samples is vitally important and allows industry and regulators to analyse for an extensive array of parameters. These samples inform a better understanding of longer term trends and facilitate the monitoring of trace and emerging pollutants. However, water bodies are highly dynamic environments. Precipitation, flowand the intermittent or diurnal nature of process and agricultural effluentsmeanthat in some circumstances it is necessary to employ
28 drain TRADER | September 2020 |
www.draintraderltd.com
enhanced high-resolution monitoring techniques to provide evidence upon which informed operational and policy decisions can bemade.
Real-time, high-resolution water quality monitoring systems
The EnvironmentAgency uses twomain types of continuouswater quality monitors; a fixed, cabinet or kiosk based system, and a portable version which is housed in a rugged case. Evidence fromthese systems is utilised by environment planners, ecologists, fisheries and environment management teams across the
agency.These continuous water quality monitoring systems have been developed and refined over the last 20 years, so that they can be quickly and easily deployed at almost any national location; delivering data via telemetry within minutes of
installation.This high-intensity monitoring capability substantially improves the temporal and spatial quality of data. The rapid deployment of these monitors nowenables the agency to respond more quickly to pollution events. Each systemis built around a battery-powered multi-parameter water quality sonde; situated in the river or located in a bankside flow- through chamber, with samples being taken at 15 minute intervals. Typically, the sondes are loaded with sensors for measuring parameters such as dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, conductivity, turbidity, ammonium, Blue Green Algae and
chlorophyll.Additionally, the systems can incorporate an automatic sampler which can be triggered when pre-determined conditions
arise.This means that event- triggered samples can bemadeavailable for subsequent laboratory investigation. Measured data is transferred securely to theMeteor Data Cloud, where stakeholders access graphical, tabular and geospatial views to see live readings and retrieve recorded data.With this customisable data presentation, managers are able to communicate evidence in a form
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
