NREB had initiated the establishment of a comprehensive real-time dataset for water quality monitoring at the upstream and downstream of Murum HEP in Belaga, Sarawak for the formulation of the water resources monitoring plan and management.
The establishment of the online Continuous Monitoring System (CMS) monitoring dataset together with integration of GIS/ GPS application technology capability will provide up-to-date information for monitoring tasks and requirements.
The objective of these CMS is to continuously monitor in situ water quality and trend with rainfall pattern at upstream and downstream areas after reservoir impoundment in order to facilitate the assessment of any impacts induced by the impoundment.
DESCRIPTION OF ACTUAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY CHEMSAIN:
Multi-disciplined team of specialists conducted site assessment and field studies at Murum HEP and identified areas for water quality monitoring.
Installation of Solar Powered Online Telemetry Water Quality Continuous Monitoring System (CMS) within the Main Dam, Water Intake and Downstream Power House areas, which are:
Chemsain operates and maintains these CMS for the duration of 36 months upon the deployment. The Water Quality parameters monitored include Temperature, pH, Turbidity, Dissolve Oxygen, Conductivity.
The Online Web Monitoring System will automatically generate customized reports based on pre-define date and time setting for reports archiving and downloading. The online CMS Functionality include:
- Real time Data Download/ View application
- Water Quality (WQ) graphs/ trending
- WQ Parameter reading
- Report Download with maps
- Maintenance Schedule/ Reports documentation
KEY PROJECT ELEMENTS:
Complexity of the monitoring system as a total system from sample collection, laboratory analysis, data handling up to information utilization for environmental quality management decision making are the key factors for consideration in implementing monitoring exercise.
The degree of complexity of the site selection process is influenced by the extent of the geographic area to be monitored. The size of the monitoring area and the degree of complexity are directly related. To characterize a large geographic area, some kind of method must be employed to subdivide the area into smaller regions that maximize the representativeness between the sampling units and the target sample area.
The key project elements included the following:
- Establishment of a web based Real Time Database system for Water Quality Monitoring
- Installation of Solar Powered Online Telemetry Water Quality Continuous Monitoring System (CMS) at the Murum HEP upstream and downstream.
- Documentation & Reporting of Water Qualities changes and trending at the Murum HEP over the period of 36 months.
