The Clean Rivers Trust recently published an article discussing their concerns for the rivers of Europe. This follows a survey into the state of rivers and the risks to the aquatic environment reported by Ralf Schafer of Koblenz University. The Guardian also published league tables that corroborates the findings.
The Clean Rivers Trust express concern that the report has highlighted that the state of river catchments is not as good as previously reported. There are disturbing levels of pollution, which whilst not immediately lethal, has the capacity to accumulate and cause long term damage. There are a number of different pollutants, which have been the focus of work to cut pollution loadings of watercourses, including:
- Mining
- Agricultural activities
- Chemical plants
- Sewage treatment works.
Minewater pollutions are bought about by the historic mining for coal and metals. These can cause severe environmental damage, and whilst some are hived off, others are diffused and require long term remedial action. These, alongside, other pollutants such as from agricultural activities, contaminated land and run off are now more insidious than some other pollutions such as chemical plants and sewage treatment works – which have been the focus of work in the past.
However, the Clean Rivers Trust expresses concerns that with Britain leaving the European Union there is an uncertain future for the water environment. All ministries have impact (industry, energy, transport, agriculture, health, and even the MoD and Home Office have substantial and growing influence on the environment and particularly on water. However, there is no one body of government that is for its benefit.
The prospect is not bleak for the water environment but it is challenging. There appears to be a cash strapped future, but a sustainable water rich future is desirable to any government.
The Clean Rivers Trust was formed in November 1990 as a response to the declining water quality of the River Trent that was reported to the UK National Rivers Authority’s Report on River Water Quality 1990. Working with all concerned, the water regulators and sewage treatment provider, the Trust gained huge expenditure undertakings and an agreed program of clean up. Since then the Trust has been involved in the remarkable changes across most of the UK’s river improvements since 1991. You can read the Clean Rivers Trust article here.
So how can Remote-Data Network Analysis (R-DNA) help? Our R-DNA software is already live and monitoring in various water quality scenarios to help monitor and improve the water quality in the UK and abroad. Our telemetry devices can remotely monitor water levels, cleanliness or temperature using a selection of available sensors. Linking the devices to our cloud-based monitoring software is quick and the software interface itself is simple to use. A customised dashboard and alerting can be configured so that you can monitor your water quality as little or as often as you like, and be alerted to any changes at pre-defined levels. R-DNA is surprisingly cost effective too, so it’s ideal for any temporary monitoring scenarios you might have.
Here at Mandar Solutions we are passionate about improving the environment, so if you have any water monitoring requirements, please contact us to discuss how we might be able to help.