Remote Monitoring for Early Warning of Water Pollution Events
Solinst Eureka
2113 Wells Branch Pkwy, Suite 4400
Austin, TX, USA
78728
Tel: +1 512-302-4333
Fax: +1 512-251-6842
email: [email protected]
Overview
In order to provide continuous water-quality information for waterhead sheds in the Allegheny River Basin, the Evergreen Conservancy collaborated with the Indiana County Emergency Management Agency in Indiana, Pennsylvania to install and maintain a cellular telemetry water monitoring system in Indiana County. The telemetry systems are located at five sites to alert staff in the event of spills, leaks, accidents, holding pond failures and/or contaminated nonpoint-source runoff.
Challenge:
The challenge was to make the system work with the cellular limitations and solar energy in the hills and valleys of western Pennsylvania. The sites were chosen because they could be impacted by potential spills from vehicle accidents, as well as non-point sources such as agricultural runoff, abandoned mine drainage, spills at natural gas well sites, and construction activities which could severely affect water quality.
Solution:
The telemetry installations were performed by Evergreen volunteers. These systems include a datalogger with cellular communications modem, solar charging system with solar panel, connected to a Manta multiparameter probe that monitors six water quality parameters.
Data is collected every 30 minutes and downloaded manually and/or transmitted via cellular communication to a web site a minimum of twice a month. Volunteers download data, service the equipment, and check the data for accuracy.
Result:
The system has proven to be effective and efficient. Alerts can be set to warn of any pollution events that could impact water quality and allow emergency responders to act as soon as changing water conditions are detected. It also provides consistent monitoring for overall stream quality. This early monitoring system increases the chance that more aquatic life can be saved or drinking water intakes downstream may be less likely to be disrupted by a pollution event.
Manta Series Water Quality Probes
Solinst Eureka offers the largest selection of water quality sensor technologies in the industry. So in addition to standard configurations, each probe may be customized for your specific application. Pick sensors of your choice to fully populate larger probes, or add a battery pack to convert a probe to a logging device.
Manta Trimeter Water Quality Probe
The Trimeter holds any one sensor* from the Sensor Parameters list, Plus temperature and depth sensors (both are optional). For example, a Trimeter configuration could be turbidity, temperature, and depth. Another example could be DO and temperature.
EasyProbe: Water Quality Sondes
The EasyProbe, by Solinst Eureka, is a high-performance, cost-effective water quality monitor. It's ideal for spot-checking, remote telemetry, education, research, aquaculture, and more. The EasyProbe20 includes sensors for temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH, while the EasyProbe30 adds a turbidity sensor. Eureka multiprobes are known for their reliability, with a three-year warranty covering all sensors, and have the lowest maintenance costs in the industry.
Related Products
Water Level, Temperature & Conductivity Datalogging
The Levelogger 5 LTC measures and logs water level fluctuations, temperature and conductivity. It is programmed to record at intervals as often as 2 seconds. It includes an 8-year battery, memory for 100,000 sets of readings, and comes in 6 pressure ranges. A PFAS-free coating (inside and out) provides superior corrosion and abrasion resistance.
TLC Meter – Measure Accurate Temperature, Level & Conductivity
A TLC Meter provides accurate, stable temperature and conductivity measurements, displayed on a convenient LCD display for easy reading. Static water level and depth of readings are read off Solinst flat tape, which is precisely laser-marked every mm or 1/100 ft. Tape lengths are available to 300 m (1000 ft).
