Application Note - River Water Quality Indication Using Real-time Dissolved Oxygen Measurement

River water quality is a widespread concern, and ensuring it is free from pollution and able to support life is essential for many countries. To address this challenge, a novel water quality monitoring system, AquaSense, has been developed by Technocomm Consulting Ltd.

AquaSense is a novel, easy-to-install, integrated wireless remote water quality monitoring system that has been developed to measure parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and salinity in water management applications. 

A key aspect of river health, and therefore a critical measurement, is Dissolved Oxygen (DO). Accurate and timely measurement of DO indicates river health and can provide an early warning system for effluent pollution, therefore measurement systems should strive to deliver real-time measurement and efficient data storage for traceability. Hamilton’s submersible DO sensor, VisiWater P, is integrated into the AquaSense system for DO measurement.

For DO measurement, the VisiWater P integrated into the AquaSense system is placed directly in the river for in-situ measurements. The probe is inserted into a plastic drain pipe to protect it, and connected to the solar-powered telemetry system that collects the time-stamped data every 15 minutes. The VisiWater P probe collects data on the DO levels in the water. These readings are then transmitted wirelessly by the AquaSense system to a central location where they are stored for data traceability.

The AquaSense system delivers live, accurate DO readings to a user-friendly graphical dashboard, providing a clear, real-time view of the river’s health. The system can also generate customizable alerts, which are triggered when DO levels fall outside of the norm. This allows for early detection of potential pollution events, such as the discharge of harmful effluents.

In summary, the AquaSense system, with its VisiWater P probe, offers a streamlined process for measuring DO. This can aid effective monitoring of river water quality by providing continuous data to facilitate early detection of pollution, and ultimately support the river’s ecological balance.

Authors

Bijan Mohandes

Managing Director