The Water Resources Management Division (WRMD) established the first near Real Time Water Quality (RTWQ) Monitoring station on Leary’s Brook in St. John’s on November 5, 2001. This was implemented as a pilot station to test the feasibility of acquiring water quality information in a near real time mode.
The objective of this RTWQ monitoring network is to provide near real time water quality information for selected water bodies and groundwater throughout the province. The continuous collection of water quality data can be used to monitor the health of aquatic ecosystems, identify trends, and determine timelines for specific events that occurred. Moreover, this information proves valuable to the general public, environmental awareness groups, other governmental entities, and the private sector.
Presently, this network consists of numerous stations across Newfoundland and Labrador. The provincial network consists of stations on critical provincial water bodies and select stations used mainly for research purposes. The industry stations are those established in the vicinity of select industrial operations in partnership between the WRMD, Environment and Climate Change Canada and various industries.
List of RTWQ Stations in Newfoundland and Labrador
The instruments are capable of directly measuring the following water quality parameters:
The instruments use the above directly measured parameters to compute the following parameters:
The RTWQ stations are located in conjunction with Hydrometric stations so near real time streamflow and climate information is also available.
The RTWQ stations are programmed to collect water quality measurements typically once an hour. Every hour the stations transmit this data through satellite to a central repository. Water quality data is retrieved from this central repository hourly using the province’s Automatic Data Retrieval System (ADRS), which automatically collects, processes, and displays this information on our website. A graphic depicting the system is available.
Disclaimer
Due to the volume and frequent updating of the data available on this Web site the Water Quality and Streamflow data is PROVISIONAL and has not undergone quality control checks. These data may be subject to significant change. Some of the factors that may affect the stage-discharge relationship and other water quality measurements include:
- backwater from ice or debris jams
- sediment movement or erosion
- malfunction of sensors, recording or transmission equipment
- loss of calibration
- fouling of sensors
- removal of instruments for maintenance
Data are reviewed on a regular basis by WRMD personnel to ensure accuracy. Each station record is considered PROVISIONAL until the data has undergone Quality Assurance/Quality Control.
Before using this data in making decisions that concern personal or public safety, substantial monetary expenditures, or other operational consequences, users must carefully consider the provisional nature of the information.
Information concerning the accuracy and appropriate uses of these data or concerning other hydrologic data may be obtained by contacting WRMD at water@gov.nl.ca or by calling (709) 729-2563.
Comments or Problems
To report problems or offer suggestions on improvements, please send e-mail to:water@gov.nl.ca