China has achieved notable progress in wastewater monitoring in recent years, while several challenges remain. This article analyzes the existing issues in domestic wastewater monitoring. To improve the system, efforts can be made in the following aspects: establishing a sustainable water resource monitoring and management framework, enhancing online water quality monitoring capacity, advancing water quality prediction research, improving the overall competence of practitioners, and introducing third-party monitoring organizations.
- Management framework
In China, environmental monitoring for river basins falls under the administration of multiple functional departments. Fragmented management often occurs due to the lack of integrated coordination across the whole watershed. Water pollution incidents usually involve multiple authorities including environmental departments. A sustainable water resource monitoring and management system helps clarify job responsibilities for all staff and respond properly to unexpected situations.
- Water quality prediction research
Current water quality monitoring work mainly focuses on pollution control and online monitoring. Research on water quality prediction and analysis is still insufficient. Relevant work needs to be carried out step by step to build a more complete wastewater monitoring system.
- Online water quality monitoring capacity
Laboratory testing was once the mainstream method to detect various parameters of wastewater. With technological development, online water quality analyzers have been widely deployed. However, further improvement of online monitoring capacity is still required to secure water quality across different water bodies.
- Professional competence of operators
Competent personnel help streamline monitoring operations and reduce operational risks. Many enterprises face shortages of skilled professionals, which restricts the development of monitoring products and weakens technical capabilities. Enterprises should invest in team building and raise the overall proficiency of monitoring staff.
- Third-party monitoring organizations
Third-party institutions can conduct independent supervision to check whether water quality monitoring activities comply with relevant standards. Corrective actions can be taken promptly once non-compliance is identified.
In summary, wastewater monitoring coverage is not yet comprehensive across all regions in China. Even for enterprises equipped with water quality monitoring devices, some monitoring parameters cannot be measured effectively. These areas require continuous optimization to promote the steady development of wastewater monitoring.
