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Sooke River Research and Development Automated Water Quality Monitoring Station
by Judith R. Burke
Waterose Environmental Services
Vancouver Island, BC
for the Province of BC
Automated Water Quality Monitoring Stations (AWQMS) provide continuous water quality test results for effective watershed management, twenty-four hours a day. Automated water quality monitoring is different from discrete sampling and automated mechanized bottle sampling. Delicate sensors, which are deployed permanently into the water column, obtain continuous readings and store the information in a data logger. The data can be downloaded directly into a data retrieval device, transmitted by satellite or retrieved by telemetry from the office. Similarly, the AWQMS can be programmed to call the office during an event or when specific limits are recorded. Click here to view a schematic sketch of the initial system design and set up (2000).
AWQMS provide continuous data sets with parameters that are custom designed and programmed by the AWQMS user. Examples of common parameters include water level, water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, oxidized reduction potential, turbidity, and specific conductance. Other ion specific electrodes (ISE's) are available to the AWQMS user. The industry is responding to user defined needs and is continually developing and improving this technology for growing demands in automated scientific methods for environmental monitoring.
AWQMS can be installed almost anywhere with minimal infrastructure support and can be moved or decommissioned in less than a day. Solar panels and portable batteries provide flexible choices for autonomous power supply. Other green energy alternatives such as micro hydroelectric power can be explored and developed for application at future sites.
Proper site selection is critical to the successful installation and operation of an AWQMS. The quality of the data collected is controlled by a high level of Quality Control and Quality Assurance (QA/QC) as defined by Ministry protocols and standard methods. The Ministry is developing standardized methods and certification for personnel, corporate users, and contract service providers through the Resource Inventory Committee (RIC) Standards and training courses. This pilot AWQMS research and development station functions as both a demonstration station and an ancillary component to developing and enhancing the RIC training course.
The AWQMS requires minimal maintenance to meet RIC Standards. A RIC Certified Technician completes site visits to the AWQMS to verify that the performance of the probes is within a specific tolerance. Discrete grab samples provide the laboratory verification component of the QA/QC program. Guidelines are being developed to enhance QA/QC methods and quality of the data for the user.
AWQMS are ideal for managing watersheds, obtaining base line trends, completing environmental impact assessments, evaluating habitat for fish, monitoring compliance performance, meeting project specific objectives and many other applications. AWQMS can be used for surface water, ground water, and drinking water.
A summary of the advantages of AWQMS:
- flexible applications and uses;
- user defined parameters and frequency of sampling;
- high frequency of data points from the water column;
- potential to site stations in remote locations;
- interactive remote relationship with data logger and probes;
- flexible options for power source;
- minimal infrastructure support required;
- high level of quality control and quality assurance for data users;
- certification of standardized methods by all user groups;
- proven developing technology in a user defined market;
- web based electronic data base of water quality test results;
- infinite potential to enhance scientific water quality data, hydrometric data, and climate data.
Updates of the AWQM project developments:
Update 2002:
- Through 2000-2001, the AWQM Technicians (Judith Burke and Bob Truelson) extensively tested and documented different methods at this AWQM station to develop and publish the revised RIC Standards.
- Judith Burke produced an introductory fifteen minute public friendly video about AWQM in 2001 for the Ministry.
- A new AWQM system was deployed in fall 2001 at the same location.
- The Ministry developed a database to warehouse data, which was brought on-line 2001. Training sessions will commence in 2002 (or maybe 2003).
- Judith Burke revised the BC RIC Standard Operating Procedures and Methods AWQM Field Manual for the Ministry in March, 2002.
Update 2003:
- Judith Burke continues the scientific research and development and testing for AWQM at this research site, which is also a demonstration station;
- AWQM of the standard variables, dissovled oxygen, pH, specific conductivity, water temperature, and turbidity continue using the YSI-6820/Handar-555 combination continues;
- The BC RISC Standards Manual for AWQM in BC is under revision;
- A new BC RISC Standards Training Manual and Training Course is being developed based on the materials researched and compiled in the Burke manual of 2002;
- We will be evaluating QA/QC of time series data and developing standards and guidelines for collectors and users of time series data;
- The Capital Regional District (CRD) is partnering with us on this site this year to monitor water levels to ensure that minimum fisheries flows are met in accordance with the new collaborative aggrement with the T'Sou-Ke First Nations Band;
- And, last but not least, I am looking forward to working another year in this beautiful river under a magnificent forest canopy amongst the giant douglas firs and the return of the salmon in the fall.
For more information about Automated Water Quality Monitoring Stations,
email Judith Burke at Waterose Environmental Services at:
Email Judith Burke at Waterose Environmental Services
Water Quality Projects by Waterose:
Scientific Presenter at the Canadian Advanced Water Quality Monitoring Course presented to Egyptian Delegation, October 2002
Special Note: Guest Speaker at the USGS Turbidity Conference in Reno, USA April 2002
Paper: Abstract of presentation by JR Burke for USGS Conference Breakout Session 2
Twelve Month Baseline Water Quality Study for Salmonids in the lower Sooke River Watershed Final Report by Waterose
Analysis of Coliforms and Nutrients in surface waters flowing into Esquimalt Lagoon
Water Quality Monitoring on Ayum Creek, a wild salmon and trout bearing stream, for Society for the Protection of Ayum Creek and Fisheries and Oceans, Canada
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