Cost-Effective Automated Water Quality Monitoring Systems Providing High-Resolution Data in Near Real-Time

Automated monitoring systems are providing near real-time data at very high spatial and temporal resolution at a fraction of the cost of sampling programs. Significant improvements have been made in regards to reliability, maintenance intervals and ease-of-use that are making autonomous technologies the most cost-effective means of environmental monitoring. Data will be presented on the effectiveness of an automated vertical profiling system and a low-cost, autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) used to transport a water quality monitoring package through a water column. Data from several case studies in drinking water reservoirs and natural environments throughout the world will be shown. Particular focus will be on the cost benefits of the vertical profiler in drinking water reservoirs and the AUV in environmental mapping applications. The profiling system provides near real-time data throughout the water column for a number of key water quality parameters such as temperature, algae biomass, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen. The data are being used to optimize water treatment and react to events, resulting in significant cost savings and providing better quality water. The AUV is used for a variety of water quality and bottom mapping applications. Monitoring agencies and consulting firms are using the system to provide very high-resolution data for point source and non-point source mapping, side-scan sonar surveys, and environmental impact projects at a fraction of the cost of current methods.