Implementations of Remote Sensing, GIS, and GPS for Water Resources and Water Quality Monitoring

Water quantity and quality monitoring at Taipei Watershed Management Bureau (WRATB) is not only a daily business but also a long term job. WRATB is responsible for providing high quality drinking water to about four millions population in Taipei. The quality of drinking water provided by WRATB is among one of the best in Taiwan. The total area is 717 square kilometers. The water resource pollution is usually divided into two categories, point source pollution and nonpoint source pollution. Garbage disposal is the most important component of the point source pollution, especially those by tourist during holidays and weekends. Pesticide pollution, fertilizer pollution, and natural pollution are the major contributions for nonpoint source pollution. The objective of this paper is to implement remote sensing, geographic information systems, and global positioning systems to monitor water quantity and water quality at WRATB. There are 12 water quality monitoring stations and four water gauge stations at WRATB. The coordinates of the 16 stations were determined by GPS devices and created into the base maps. MapObjects and visual BASIC were implemented to create application modules for water quality and quantity monitoring. Water quality of the two major watersheds at WRATB was put on Internet for public review monthly. The GIS software, ArcIMS, can put location maps and attributes of all 16 stations on Internet for general public review and technical implementations at WRATB. Inquiry and statistic charts automatic manipulations for the past 18 years are also available. Garbage disposal by community and tourist were also managed by GIS and GPS. The storage, collection, and transportation of garbage were reviewed by ArcMap file format. All garbage cart and garbage can at WRATB can be displayed on the base maps. Garbage disposal by tourist during holidays and weekends can be managed by a PDA with a GPS device and a digital camera. Man power allocation for tourist garbage disposal management can be done in an integration of GIS and GPS. Monitoring of water quality and quantity at WRATB can be done on Internet and by a PDA.