The Importance of Water Quality Monitoring
Water is essential for everyday life, yet the quality of this resource is not constant. Water quality needs to be continuously monitored to ensure safe usage of it within society. At IETG, we understand the necessity of safeguarding our water sources for safe consumption and use.
Why Should We Monitor Water?
Water quality monitoring is a legal requirement in some industries. Here are some of the reasons why it is imperative that the quality of water is measured consistently.
1. Public Health – Clean Bathing and Consumption of Water
The World Health Organisation specifies that ‘water safety and quality are fundamental to human development and wellbeing’. Unsafe water can have a significant, detrimental impact on human health if consumed, through bacterial contamination, pollutants and waterborne diseases.
There are designated bathing waters across the UK, which have certain water quality targets to meet. Water monitoring tests for bacteria, which may have come from a range of sources, such as sewage and road drainage.
2.Protecting the Environment
As well as ensuring the safety of water for humans, water quality monitoring helps us to preserve biodiversity for the health of animals and their habitats. By detecting pollutants, we can take action to prevent further damage.
3.Data-Driven Decision Making
The data obtained from water monitoring is used to identify and rectify any problems efficiently. At IETG, our Data Analysts undergo a unique training programme on the characteristics of water quality data, enabling them to identify trends and faults in both river flow and in-line sensor data.
What Affects Water Quality?
Water monitoring takes into account several parameters to determine quality. These include:
- Salt levels; high levels can pollute drinking water and harm aquatic life
- Bacteria levels; this determines whether the water is safe for consumption and recreational activities
- Dissolved Oxygen levels; if levels are too high or too low, this will affect the survival of aquatic organisms
- Ammonia; high levels usually indicate polluted waters
- Conductivity; high levels can harm invertebrates and fish
- pH levels; this can affect many factors, including whether the water is harmful to living things and how many nutrients are available
- Temperature; this influences the types of aquatic life within the water, and the dissolved oxygen levels
- Turbidity; a measurement of water clarity which can be reduced by suspended particles, which may impact human health and aquatic life.
How Does IETG Measure Water Quality?
IETG has played a leading role in the ongoing development of data collection for Urban Pollution Management and Water Framework Directive Studies. Our team of dedicated Water Quality Surveyors provide our clients with an essential range of water quality services for wastewater networks.
Here are some of the water quality analysis services we offer:
- Water Quality Monitoring: This involves continuous observation and measurement of water quality, using automated sensors and sampling techniques to collect data over time. The objective is to track changes in water, detect trends and identify pollution sources
- Water Quality Sampling: This is a specific component of water quality monitoring, involving collecting physical water samples using specialised equipment. Samples are then analysed in a laboratory, providing detailed information about the composition of water at specific points in time and space, allowing for accurate assessment of compliance with regulations.
- Water Quality Surveys: These are comprehensive assessments of the health of a water body or water system. Surveys typically involve a one-time or periodic assessment of aspects of water quality.
If you require any Water Quality Monitoring services, our specialised team at IETG are here to help. Find out more about the different services we offer:
https://www.ietg.co.uk/service/water-quality-monitoring-sampling/
