Real-time water quality analyser near the River Derwent.
Image: Derwent Estuary Program
Unlike other water quality sensors, the unique Ion-Q® system is based on capillary electrophoresis (CE) and simultaneously measures an unprecedented number of 12 analytes (nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, chloride, sulphate, fluoride, ammonium, carbonate, magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron), providing comprehensive, robust and autonomous systems. With analytical results sent via telemetry, generating data in real time enables decision making for industry operations and waterway management based on accurate and current knowledge.
The Derwent Estuary Program currently monitors the Tyenna River, Clyde River, River Ouse, River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam, and will soon monitor the River Derwent 7km upstream of Bryn Estyn, Hobart’s Drinking Water Treatment Plant. This end-of-catchment site will be accompanied with a flow gauge to allow for accurate, near real-time determination of nutrient loads into the Upper Derwent Estuary.
Below are two examples of nutrient (dissolved nitrate and phosphate) concentrations from the Tyenna River before the confluence with the River Derwent, and the Clyde River below the township of Hamilton. Phosphate is typically below the level of detection (currently 100ppb, improvements underway). The River Ouse and River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam typically have nutrient concentrations below the current limits of detection and graphs are therefore not shown. Further water quality data will be published on this website as detection limits improve and new sites come online.