Overview
The China Institute of Geological Environmental Monitoring (CIGEM), the organization responsible for the country’s national groundwater monitoring project, was frustrated by traditional sampling and detection methods that are time-consuming and laborious. So, the organization performed exhaustive research and experimentation to find the best solution for efficiency, reliability and accuracy.
Challenge
To improve efficiency and accuracy, The China Institute of Geological Environmental Monitoring (CIGEM) went in search of a solution that would provide:
- Reliable and portable water quality equipment
- Easy-to-operate and powerful application software to standardize the sampling process and unify the test reports
- Accurate and reliable field monitoring data
- Water samples that were representative
Solution
CIGEM was thorough in its approach to finding products that would meet all these requirements for its end users. They invited several manufacturers of portable water quality equipment, including In-Situ, to participate in a comparison experiment.
Equipment was placed in the field to assess and compare performance, both in terms of repeatable results and detection accuracy, and evaluate ease of use, functionality and other aspects of comparison.
Results
After many comparative experiments with end users, CIGEM selected the In-Situ SmarTROLL Multiparameter Handheld and the VuSitu app as its standard equipment for groundwater sampling.
The SmarTROLL enables instant data collection on 14 water quality parameters, including conductivity, pH, ORP, dissolved oxygen level, pressure and temperature, from an android or iOS mobile device. And the VuSitu app simplifies the process, with calibrations that last for months and less time spent in the field waiting for stabilization, post-processing and data analysis.
“What I find most satisfying is the VuSitu app, which is well designed,” says Li Yi, a sampling-site worker. “It’s powerful and easy to operate, and I particularly like that it can be applied to low flow.”
Since making its decision, CIGEM has promoted the application of the SmarTROLL and VuSitu to each province of the country. End users are encouraged to use the equipment for spot checking, or with a pump and flow cell for low-flow sampling.
“In-Situ’s water quality equipment and professional app greatly simplify the sampling process,” says CIGEM Project Director Li Changing. “Unified planning, a unified sampling method, a unified detection method and detection limit, unified quality control, and a unified report template all ensure the authenticity and reliability of the water quality test data.”
CIGEM plans to continue to promote its customer-approved In-Situ solution to benefit end users and improve groundwater sampling efforts and results throughout China.
The smarTROLL has been replaced by the Aqua TROLL 400 Multiparameter Probe. Ideal for spot checking and long-term groundwater and surface water monitoring projects, the Aqua TROLL 400 can be deployed for months at a time with telemetry.
