Testing of the use of the procedure on the River Ravi system near Lahore in Pakistan, was completed in November 1997. The work was principally carried out in conjunction with the local counterparts, IWASRI, who were responsible for the field data collection programme. The Punjab Irrigation Department was also involved.

Processing of the information collected, and preparation of the guideline report was carried out in conjunction with IWASRI during the final project visit in February 1998. It is intended that project results will be taken up under various planned cooperation projects. The work also included an economic analysis of the comparative prices of using field-kit equipment compared to conventional laboratory based evaluations.

The prototype version of the Water Quality Monitoring (WQM) methodology was installed in Lahore and local staff trained in its use. Testing of the methodology showed that it worked relatively successfully, but identified a number of, mainly logistic, considerations that would need to be addressed in future applications of the technique.

Cross-checks of the WQM data with laboratory determinations showed that their accuracy was largely acceptable, although the methods used for heavy metal determinations would require significantly more effort to establish their reliability.

In any future deployment it will be important to ensure that adequate logistics are reliably assigned.

The results expressed in the final report gave a preliminary indication that the level of pollution in the River Ravi was significant but not yet critical. It will be important for the local water resource departments to establish long-term monitoring so that pollution trends can be identified and dealt with before they become serious.

The Water Quality Monitoring methodology was shown to be an appropriate and relatively inexpensive mechanism that enables water quality trend data to be simply collected, and a quick, reasonably reliable understanding of local water quality trends to be made.

Demand for such a technique was expressed during consultations with local departments in Egypt, India and rural development areas of South Africa. The technique's potential was recognised in helping them to deal with local water quality problems such as shortage of data, inability to take measurements and difficulty in utilising laboratory backed environmental surveillance.

G R Pearce, M Ramzan Chauhry, S Ghulam (1998, rev.1999) A simple methodology for water quality monitoring HR Report OD 142

Having developed the Water Quality Monitoring methodology and established its functionality, it is now available for wider use at a pilot level or even, with caution at a wide field implementation level. The final report, OD 142, provides a guide for implementing the WQM methodology in developing countries, and others.

In order for developing countries to start implementing environmental monitoring programmes on water resources, it is important that user friendly techniques such as the WQM methodology are promoted and recommended to relevant authorities.

Following a mission to South Africa, a project proposal has been prepared that identifies how the technique could be directly used by the Department for Water Affairs and Forestry.

National Research Partners, Pakistan:
IWASRI, International Waterlogging And Salinity Research Institute, Thokor Niaz Baig, Lahore
EPD, Environmental Protection Department, Punjab Government
Punjab Irrigation Dept., Irrigation Research Institute

Tel: +44 1491 835381
Fax: +44 1491 826352
Email: dfid-kar-water@hrwallingford.co.uk