When direct discharge to a watercourse is required environmental agency consent can be required. The consent usually includes a set limit for the amount of suspended solids allowed in the discharge.
Exceeding this limit could result in prosecution.
Complying with consent conditions and providing evidence of regular sampling is a task for which contractors must take responsibility.
It's rewarding to know that many leading national and international contractors are paying due heed to their responsibilities and are investing in portable monitoring instrumentation. Partech Instruments has reported considerable interest in its portable instrumentation packages for projects including motorway improvement schemes, major construction sites and water treatment plants.
Angus Fosten, Sales and Marketing Director at Partech Instruments, commented on the capabilities of the monitoring instruments.
"With this equipment, site engineers can monitor the suspended solids content of surface waters for comparison with baseline conditions and to monitor silt levels in local watercourses," reports Fosten.
Construction site contractors are now using the Partech 740 portable suspended solids meter to monitor the level of suspended solids in surface waters within the construction site. The instantaneous results from the portable instrument can be used for rapid on-site decision making complementing the routine sampling for laboratory analysis.
Partech's portable suspended solids meter consists of the 740 Monitor and the Soli-Tech 10 Sensor and provides quick and accurate readings of suspended solids via an intuitive menu structure.
By combining the proven technologies of its 740 Monitor and Soli-Tech 10 Sensor, Partech has created a portable package that can be programmed for up 10 individual sites/applications. Furthermore, the 740 Monitor can be set up for individual operator use and save specific sensor outputs.
The Soli-Tech 10 Sensor is constructed to withstand demanding locations, has an operating range of 0 - 20,000mg/l and provides sensitivity readings down to 1mg/l.
The achievable accuracy and ease of use make the 740 Portable ideal for regular checking of suspended solids levels to process or legislated requirements and ideal for use as a secondary standard to check other on-line and portable instruments.
