|
|
|
|
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. In 2010, the New York State Energy Research
and Development Authority provided funding for the expansion of the network into
the New York portion of the basin. SRBC is covering the ongoing maintenance costs.
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.
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
|
|
|
RELATED RESOURCES (PDF DOCUMENTS)
|
|
Information
Sheet
Press Release (November 30, 2010)
Press Release (September 28, 2010)
Press Release (March 4, 2010)
Press Release (December 10, 2009)
Press Release
(November 5, 2009)
|
|
|
OBJECTIVES:
|
|
- 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.
|
|
