Portable telemetered water quality stations for waterway health monitoring

The Hydro-Electric Corporation (HEC) through its Waterway Health Monitoring Strategy (WHMS) has a commitment to the monitoring of waterway health within its hydro catchments. The characteristics of river flow and associated water quality are such that high frequency field installations are the best and most cost effective way of gathering water quality data in order to determine the current physico-chemical state of health of the river. The HEC was able to develop and install 7 portable telemetered water quality monitoring stations to accurately assess the quality of river water within its catchments. The portable stations consisted of 5 main components: Sensors and mounting bracket, Loggers and sensor control electronics, Power supply, incorporating solar panels, 12 volt batteries, charger and lightning protection, Telemetry equipment, short range radio, digital or satellite phone technology, and Tripod mounting structure for secure enclosures and solar panels.