Chapter 1 2. Objectives of Water Pollution Monitoring

Water Pollution Continuous Monitoring Technology in Japan
History and Objectives of Water Pollution Continuous Monitoring

2. Objectives of Water Pollution Monitoring

Water pollution monitoring has been implemented by the national government, prefectures, factories and business establishments to examine the water quality of public water areas and waste waster discharged from factories and establishments. The data collected by water pollution monitoring may also be used as reference data to examine the pollution cause by volcanic eruption and factory explosion. Water pollution monitoring is classified into "public water area monitoring" and stationary pollution source monitoring" according to the locations to be monitored.

(1) Public water area monitoring
Water in public water areas such as rivers and coastal water areas and underground is used for various purposes such as natural environment conservation, tap water, agriculture and fishery, and is closely related with human health and living environment. The main purpose of environmental water pollution monitoring is to continuously monitor the water pollution of water areas affecting the human health and living environment.

(2) Stationary pollution source monitoring
Wastewater discharged from factories and establishments is often discharged into public water areas such as rivers, and sometimes reaches underground water. The main purpose of stationary pollution source monitoring is to preserve water quality of the water areas by confirming that the wastewater discharged from factories and establishments complies with the effluent standards and total pollutant load standards.