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Hydrology

Monitoring water quality and levels

Hydrological sensors play a crucial role in understanding and managing water behaviour across a wide variety of environments. From monitoring rainwater and surface runoff to tracking groundwater levels, river flow and reservoir conditions, these instruments provide the reliable data needed to safeguard communities, protect the environment and support responsible project delivery. In Hong Kong’s dense and highly weather‑sensitive landscape, this information is essential for anticipating impacts during heavy rainfall, typhoon seasons and large‑scale infrastructure works.

These sensors are deployed for multiple purposes. They support environmental monitoring of rivers, aquifers, reservoirs and catchment areas, helping teams understand long‑term hydrological trends and identify potential risks. In hydraulic infrastructure such as dams, pumping stations and water treatment facilities, they provide real‑time indicators of water performance and system integrity. For construction projects taking place below the water table — including tunnelling, deep basements and utilities — hydrological sensors enable effective groundwater lowering, well monitoring and control of seepage, ensuring safety and compliance. They also assist in soil remediation activities by verifying changes in water quality and tracking contaminant movement.

Hydrological monitoring is often integrated with meteorological and geotechnical sensors to give a complete picture of site behaviour. By combining these datasets, project teams gain the insight needed to make informed decisions, plan effective mitigation strategies and manage water‑related risks throughout the lifecycle of their assets.

Monitoring water quality and levels

The ability to monitor the water cycle is a major challenge for effective water resource management and flood prevention.

Correct operation of all hydraulic infrastructures – especially dams – requires detailed knowledge of river and reservoir water levels and quality.

Subsurface contracting often involves working below the water table. The ability to correctly design and dimension engineered structures requires detailed prior knowledge of water levels and water table operation. When work is in progress, and especially where that work involves lowering the water table, it is essential to monitor groundwater levels and quality continuously. This type of monitoring is usually carried out in parallel with monitoring the ground movements generated by the process.

The installation of hydrological sensors is also essential for polluted worksites requiring soil remediation.

Sensor types

The surface water levels of rivers and reservoirs are measured using limnimeters (water level measurement) and flow meters (flow measurement).

The rain gauges used to measure rainfall levels are usually installed as part of complete weather stations.

To monitor soil water content, piezometers (for water level measurement) and interstitial pressure cells (for water pressure measurement) are installed at the required monitoring depths.

Water quality monitoring

Water quality is monitored using:

  • Turbidity sensors
  • Conductivity and temperature sensors
  • pH sensors
  • Dissolved oxygen sensors
  • Oxidation-Reduction potential electrodes

Installing hydrological sensors allows you to:

  • Monitor water resources
  • Prevent extreme rises in water levels and flooding
  • Maintain correct operation of hydraulic infrastructures
  • Monitor subsurface contracting and/or soil remediation projects

The added benefits of using our hydrological monitoring

Cutting-edge expertise

developed from 20 years of experience and in-house development

The availability of dedicated local teams

as a result of our extensive network

A turnkey service

from installation to provision of pre-processed data in an accessible webspace

A culture of innovation

committed to continual development of solutions more closely aligned with the practical challenges of our clients

A proactive maintenance programme

built around data quality control and monitoring

Applications