Real-Time Water-Quality Benefits

Concentrations. Even for those constituents associated with large errors, the estimation of constituent concentrations with regression analysis and real-time water-quality monitoring has numerous advantages over periodic manual sampling:
  • timely availability of data is important when considering recreation on a specific water body.
  • water suppliers would have timely information to use in adjusting water-treatment strategies.
  • more accurate concentrations lead to more accurate load calculations.
  • the continuous data identifies the variability better (for example, an event which occurs at night and typically would be missed if only manual samples were collected).
Loads. Constituent loads calculated from the regression equations also are useful in a variety of ways:
  • Estimated loads may be used for calculating TMDLs, which the States are mandated to establish for stream segments that have been identified by section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act.
  • Estimated constituent loads and yields can be used to indicate in which subbasin to concentrate efforts with regard to best management practices.
Crane at Quivira Wildlife Refuge