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Surface water encompasses storm water derived from hard standing areas, river water and reservoirs. All types of surface water are at risk from ingress of pollution and therefore need to be monitored. On-line continuous monitoring can identify and alarm pollution so corrective action can be taken.
Although often considered as "clean", surface water derived from hard standing areas is particularly at risk from pollution. Chemical manufacturers, engineering companies and airports have installed continuous monitors to detect, divert or contain spillages and contaminated surface water.
TOC has been widely used to determine the presence of dissolved organic substances. For example, domestic and military airports use Ethylene Glycol to de-ice aircraft and runways. The surplus is washed into the drainage system by melt-water and rainfall. The Protoc® TOC analyser has been installed to continuously monitor for contaminated surface water, which can be diverted for treatment, protecting local watercourses from polluted discharge.
Oil is also a common pollutant. Many industries have stringent discharge consents imposed often referred to as "no visible traces." Although abatement systems may be in place (eg oily water separators), it is important to identify spillages at source and monitor discharges to show compliance with imposed regulations. Oil on water detection can be performed to alarm the presence of oil that creates an increased reflectivity, as measured by a non-contact laser or infrared detector.
Other parameters, which are often used to indicate pollution, are
pH, Turbidity and Conductivity. |
