No other natural resource is as fundamentally important as clean water. Protecting thequantity and quality of water sources is a global concern that has intensified significantly in the past decade. While a steady march towards industrialization and development has brought positive social and economic change to many communities worldwide, it has also caused considerable impacts on water quality. Add to this the looming threat of climate change-induced drought and flooding, and the protection and efficient use of our water supplies becomes an even greater priority.

Continuous water quality monitoring provides accurate data about the health of source water at a near real-time pace. Because water quality can change frequently over time, water quality parameters must be repeatedly measured in order to gain a better understanding of a water supply. Yet periodic sampling regimes often do not provide timely data on emerging events--such as nutrient spikes and algal blooms. The accurate, real-time data collection and analysis provided by continuous monitoring systems gives water quality managers the best tools to optimize their resource management and treatment processes.

YSI has been at the forefront of continuous water quality monitoring since its very earliest applications, and continues to provide the most reliable and efficient monitoring systems currently available on the market. From ensuring that drinking water supplies are safe, to safeguarding valuable aquatic ecosystems, YSI's continuous water quality monitoring systems have several important applications.

Five Applications of Continuous Water Quality Monitoring Systems

• Baseline Monitoring: Developing a baseline water quality monitoring data set allows you to gain a better understanding of the fluctuations in the quality and quantity of your water source, and to devise a long-term strategy for source water protection.

• Early Warning: Detecting changes in certain key parameters before they cause water quality problems can prevent public health concerns, and can also boost the efficiency of chemical use.

• Storms and Floods: In addition to baseline monitoring, water professionals must also be prepared for large-scale events.  Continuous monitoring ensures that response time is minimized, even when floods or storms cause sudden water quality changes.

• Water Shortages: When drought conditions cause water quality to deteriorate, continuous monitoring can ensure that you have the information needed to select the optimum intake for your water supply.

• Groundwater Monitoring: Unattended, long-term monitoring is the most effective way to provide valuable groundwater data. Understanding variations in groundwater levels and characteristics enables more effective management of this critical resource.