Many people interested in measuring various **water quality parameters** that are relevant to environmental health in low-cost and accessible ways. Many have been working on low-cost, open-source sensors for water chemistry and physical properties, and there are also several commercially available water sensors and analog tools that can measure relevant water quality parameters. [![IMG_20171205_145207.jpg](https://publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/022/802/large/IMG_20171205_145207.jpg)](https://publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/022/802/original/IMG_20171205_145207.jpg) ### Overview Often, electronic environmental sensors are just one part of a system that includes: * a [data logger](/wiki/data-logging) * some kind of [water and weather-proof enclosure](/wiki/sensor-enclosures) * a **sensor of some kind** -- see [Sensors](#Sensors), below And we also have to consider: * how to **configure the logging program** & **[connect to the chosen sensors](/notes/warren/12-06-2017/help-document-how-to-connect-different-sensors-to-a-data-logger)** * how to [download data](/wiki/data-logging#Download) * how to [visualize](/tag/visualization) data * how to [design experiments](/tag/experimental-design) using these techniques It's hard work writing good documentation. Let's team up and share as much of the above as possible -- many of these steps are either not device-specific, or are at least very helpful **if written in a way that supports use across projects**. **** [![coqui.png](https://publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/022/801/large/coqui.png)](https://publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/022/801/original/coqui.png) ## Getting started If you have never used an electronic water sensor before, try the Coqui project, which is specifically designed for folks who are just starting out. [Build a Coqui](/wiki/coqui) - a simple device to read a sensor via an audible tone. The Coqui is also a stellar example of how to document a project. (above photo by @akshaya) **** ## Choosing Sensors Often the first step is to **look for a sensor for what you're hoping to measure.** Below we're collecting info on different kinds of water quality sensors, and their: * cost * sensitivity/accuracy * links and documentation Can you afford a sensor? Can it detect what you're looking for? Where can you learn more about it? And here's a longer collection of many different sensors ([add to this list here!](/notes/warren/12-06-2017/help-collect-environmental-sensors-probes-on-a-shared-list)): See and [edit the full spreadsheet here](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UwjRqU8kHTwEcnDdO2Zxkr8zkFkaGfyePJ-cdnxJzw0/edit?usp=sharing) ### To be added * See this [great list of sensors from the KnowFlow](/questions/rockets/07-10-2017/how-accurate-is-the-probe) * [the Wheestat](/wiki/wheestat-user-s-manual) can be plugged into a datalogger * we should go through the above list and see which are Arduino-compatible - add to the "Interface" column * Figaro electronic #hydrogen-sulfide sensors [here](/notes/warren/9-19-2011/prototype-h2s-sensor) Are there others you're interested in? Please add them to the list here and to the linked Google Doc! (below are some not listed above yet) - transparency - chemical oxygen demand - COD - phosphate - total dissolved solids - TDS - Hardness - Lead - bacteria - fluoride heavy metal [prompt:text:ie temperature] **** ## Questions [questions:water-sensors] **** ### Connecting sensors Most of the [data loggers](/wiki/data-logging) on this site are Arduino-based (#arduino) while some are Raspberry Pi-based (#raspberry-pi). Vernier has a lot of good resources on connecting their Arduino-compatible sensors, with example code: https://www.vernier.com/engineering/arduino/ As we build out resources for connecting different sensors or different types of sensor interfaces (i2c, analog, etc), let's think about how best to list those guides and support materials here. Help add activities below for connecting specific sensors to [different data loggers](/wiki/data-logging), and pitch in on [researching how these connect here](/notes/warren/12-06-2017/help-document-how-to-connect-different-sensors-to-a-data-logger). [activities:connecting-sensors] **** ### Analog methods Even though this wiki page is labeled "water sensors," the most accessible modes of measuring water quality parameters are often **analog, non-digital methods** where you directly observe water (e.g. using a secchi disk to assess turbidity) or collect a sample and test it with a visual method (e.g. color-change pH strips). Several analog tools are included in the spreadsheet, and please add more! ### Hybrid approaches and enclosures In some cases, it may be possible to couple a commercially available **probe** sensor with a DIY **data logger** (such as the Riffle, https://publiclab.org/riffle) and an water-tight **enclosure** to create a lower-cost deployable sensor. Deployable sensors can be extremely useful for long-term monitoring, monitoring in places that are difficult to access frequently, or to document fluctuations in water chemistry with greater temporal resolution. ...
Author | Comment | Last activity | Moderation | ||
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faculdadevoltaredonda | "https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/g/11hctk2_nb " | Read more » | 7 months ago | |||
tamires_odontoseven | "https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1TJFVFG5ZfEcH9f4CDz_vay0SNnlzMM8&usp=sharing " | Read more » | 8 months ago | |||
mahadigitalsolapur | "Hardware Selection: Arduino boards are commonly used for their versatility and ease of programming. However, when it comes to underwater applicatio..." | Read more » | 9 months ago | |||
lojadeprafusos_ultrafix | "https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uOd4DstKHhqm2n3-XlPbnI9dCorXifzF " | Read more » | 9 months ago | |||
christmas | "The Arduino Based Underwater Sensor Platform provides an innovative solution for monitoring aquatic environments, promising versatility and reliabi..." | Read more » | 10 months ago | |||
clinicaveterinariavivavet | "I don't know about Arduino based underwater sensor platform but animal veterinary " | Read more » | 11 months ago | |||
autoescolaembangu | "I don't know much about underwater sensors, but if it's about imported auto parts " | Read more » | about 1 year ago | |||
scholaracecom | "Creative Savants presents an innovative approach to maintaining academic and creative integrity through our robust plagiarism checking services. Ou..." | Read more » | about 1 year ago | |||
EdMallon | "The e360 course required different sensors for each lab, so we tweaked the 2-part logger with 3D printed rails holding mini breadboards to provide ..." | Read more » | about 1 year ago | |||
EdMallon | "The latest in our ongoing series of build videos supporting Dr. Beddows enviro-sci students who have to first build the logger(s) used to collect d..." | Read more » | over 1 year ago | |||
EdMallon | "A summary of the many waterproofing methods we've used over the years. Might be a few ideas there that Public Lab builders find useful: https://the..." | Read more » | almost 2 years ago | |||
liamann67 | " Expert tips for writing bsb42015 answers easily When it comes to writing different assignments in leadership and management. Download the s..." | Read more » | over 2 years ago | |||
EdMallon | "The ones from Fisher Scientific and Thermo have notably better quality seals than no-name brand tubes. So if you are putting them somewhere swampy ..." | Read more » | almost 3 years ago | |||
bhamster | "Thanks for this update, @EdMallon! I read the full post you linked and laughed at "Pro-Minillennium Falcons." :smiley: The Falcon tube housing is n..." | Read more » | almost 3 years ago | |||
EdMallon | "This latest update was motivated by several factors but the most important ones were: (1) Our own project has grown to the point that every fieldwo..." | Read more » | almost 3 years ago | |||
liz | "What a fantastic update! It's great to hear from you @EdMallon. An underwater logger running for a year on a single coin cell battery?? COOL. Taggi..." | Read more » | almost 3 years ago | |||
EdMallon | " It’s been a long time since I posted, and you’d be forgiven for thinking the Cave Pearl Project was yet another victim of COVID. While the attend..." | Read more » | almost 3 years ago | |||
liz | "Fantastic! Just adding some screenshots of your videos so people can get excited: " | Read more » | over 3 years ago | |||
EdMallon | "Finally have acceptable screen captures exporting from zoom (though frame rate is low) so we've been producing tutorial videos for Dr. Beddows inst..." | Read more » | over 3 years ago | |||
SteveGoldman32 | "Hi Everyone Just thought I should post a progress update on the Cave Pearl Project. We finished off 2020 with a challenging field trip that had so..." | Read more » | almost 4 years ago | |||
digitaldipak | "This is really a good one with a proper circuit diagram as well as with all the step by step procedures. Keep sharing more in the future. Have a go..." | Read more » | about 4 years ago | |||
EdMallon | "With Covid making it hard to predict whether students will be in the lab, or working from home we’ve done an incremental update to the ‘Classroom L..." | Read more » | about 4 years ago | |||
mimiss | "When discussing ways to make the blinking light easier to read/a bit more accessible at last night’s event we flirted with the idea of 3 LEDs that ..." | Read more » | about 5 years ago | |||
warren | "Maybe we could do both sound and light? That way it is adaptable for different abilities too. I don't know if we could have one port drive a light..." | Read more » | about 5 years ago |