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SRBC is currently implementing a monitoring network that continuously measures and reports water quality conditions of smaller rivers and streams located in northern tier Pennsylvania and southern tier New York. The data helps agency officials track existing water quality conditions and any changes in them on an ongoing, real-time basis.
The stations are operating in areas where drilling in the Marcellus shale is most active, as well as other locations where no drilling activities are planned so SRBC can collect control-data. A contribution from East Resources provided the initial funding for the project. The monitoring network provides constant data collection with instruments sensitive enough to detect subtle changes in water quality on a frequency that will allow background conditions and any changes to them to be documented throughout the year..
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| The following five water quality parameters are being measured at each station: |
Data platform (above); data sonde and protective casing (below) |
- Temperature
- pH – the measure of acidity or alkalinity, with normal ranges between 6 and 9
- Conductance – the ability of the water to conduct electricity, which typically reflects the amount of dissolved solids or chlorides in the water
- Dissolved oxygen – amount of oxygen in the water available to aquatic life, with levels best above 4-5 mg/L
- Turbidity – water clarity, or the amount of particulate matter in the water column
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| RELATED RESOURCES (PDF DOCUMENTS) |
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Information Sheet
Press Release (March 4, 2010)
Press Release (December 10, 2009)
Press Release (November 5, 2009)
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| OBJECTIVES: |
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- To establish a real-time monitoring network at areas of concern in the Susquehanna River Basin in order to provide monitoring data to resource agencies the regulated community and the public and monitoring to allow timely response in the case of pollution incidents;
- To establish baseline water quality conditions in targeted areas of the basin;
- To verify whether or not the natural gas well industry and/or other activities with the potential to cause pollution incidents are causing adverse impacts on local water quality;
- To reduce the cost of data collection through the utilization of advanced technologies; to form collaborative partnerships to improve monitoring technology and provide educational opportunities;
- To enhance protection for water supplies through source water monitoring; and
- To be responsive to public concerns.
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