Real-Time Monitoring of Ammonia/Nitrates at IRWD Potable Water Reservoirs

Irvine Ranch Water District Engineering, 2003-04

Liaison(s): Arseny Kalinsky
Advisor(s): Donald Remer
Students(s): Stephen MacVicar (PM), Alison Burce, Nick Carbone, Abram Kim

The team obtained and tested an online nitrite and ammonia analyzer at a potable water reservoir and interfaced the analyzers with the existing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system used by IRWD. These analyzers are being considered for use by IRWD for early detection of nitrification of chloraminated water in the reservoirs, which can lead to rapid bacterial growth and potential coliform outbreaks. Online nitrite and ammonia analysis is a new approach to enhance water quality monitoring and improve reservoir management practices to prevent and reverse nitrification.