Monitoring systems for water quality

Water‐quality monitoring is viewed as a system which can be defined following the flow of information through its various tasks: (1) sampling, (2) laboratory analysis, (3) data handling, (4) data analysis, (5) reporting, and (6) information utilization. To design a successful water‐quality “information” system, a designer must: (1) identify what information is sought; (2) establish a statistical basis for the design; (3) determine where samples will be taken, what will be measured, and how frequently to sample; (4) specify operating procedures for the entire system; and, in particular, (5) define the final information product (e.g., reports) to be produced. The connection between information expectations and the statistical data analysis methods employed to meet these expectations is an area receiving increasing attention in the design of water‐quality monitoring networks and is a major factor in the successful development and implementation of a complete information system.