A simple methodology for water quality monitoring
The quality of irrigation water is becoming an increasing concern for water managers. The report proposes a simple, appropriate and relatively inexpensive strategy by which water resource departments can collect their own data about locally important parameters. The report is intended for use by water resources managers in regions where conventional laboratory-based water quality monitoring is too expensive, too slow or focussed on other issues.
Background
The water resources of many countries are rapidly becoming insufficient to meet the growing demands for agricultural, industrial and municipal supplies. At the same time these resources are being polluted by the activities of man. The water quality monitoring methodology covered in this report is a consistent and appropriate strategy that managers in the water resource departments of developing countries can use in preparing water quality monitoring programmes.

The strategy
The Water Quality Monitoring (WQM) strategy utilises low-cost, portable instrumentation that can largely be used by non-specialist, technical staff. The strategy enables results, obtained using simple, field-kit techniques, to be readily understood, and their significance compared with national and international standards. The results are also available on the spot, so that those who take the measurements can assess their significance straight away and take any appropriate action immediately.

What it covers
The report outlines a monitoring strategy that provides simple and relatively inexpensive water quality data with acceptable accuracy. It also describes fieldwork to test the WQM approach carried out in Pakistan on the River Ravi System near Lahore.

It identifies and describes the key water quality parameters likely to be included in a WQM programme. These include salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen,

   nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, phosphates, boron, chromium, heavy metals, faecal coliforms, pesticides and suspended sediments. It also reviews the field-kits that are available on the market to measure these parameters.

The recommendations and conclusions contain an assessment of the WQM methodology and lessons learned from the Lahore field-testing. Recommendations are made concerning:

  • Demand for WQM
  • Implementation of a WQM Methodology
  • Strategies for using the WQM Methodology
  • Need for further work

Contributors
HR Wallingford Ltd, UK; International Waterlogging and soil Salinity Research Institute, Pakistan.

Intended users
The report is aimed at irrigation departments and water resources managers in regions where conventional laboratory-based water quality monitoring is too expensive, too slow or focussed on other issues.

Pearce, GR; Ramzan Chaudhry, M and Ghulam, S, 1998. A simple methodology for water quality monitoring. HR Wallingford, UK. Report no. OD 142.

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