Continuously updated water quality measurement results are available here (in Czech).
Continuous monitoring of DAPHTOX accidental pollution
Continuous monitoring of possible accidental pollution on the Bečva River at Lhotka na Bečvou was started in trial mode immediately after the completion of the construction and approval of the monitoring station in the second half of 2022 (see Figures below). It continued in full mode from the beginning of 2023. The activities were financed by TGM WRI, from 2024 the financial coverage of costs and activities associated with monitoring is solved on the basis of the Agreement on horizontal cooperation to ensure the operation of the measuring station.
The DaphTox II device (see Figures below) is used for monitoring. In the device, changes in the behavior of monitoring organisms (daphnids – water fleas) are monitored to evaluate the biological quality of water. The movement of organisms in the measuring chamber is continuously recorded by a camera, and changes in behavior are continuously evaluated by an integrated computer. A so-called toxicity index is determined on a scale of 0 to 10 from a number of parameters that take into account, for example, the average speed of movement of organisms, their position in the chamber and their eventual death, and a warning or alarm is then triggered based on its value. With the help of a specialized program, anyone can connect to the device online from any computer that is equipped with the appropriate software. This makes it possible to obtain up-to-date information on the state of the biological quality of waters in the monitored profile from anywhere and at any time. This system is already functional, for example, in Germany, where it monitors the quality of water coming from the Czech Republic (in Czech).
NAVAROSO expert information system
The system provides cross-linked data needed to quickly obtain information on possible causes of water quality deterioration (see Figures above), and on procedures for determining the type of pollution and estimating its spread in a watercourse (see Figures below). Thus, it speeds up the detection of a possible source of pollution and improves the prevention of possible pollution by more accurate and quickly available information on its potential sources in the river basin. Thus, it contributes to streamlining water protection in the area of mitigation of the negative effects of pollution. This system is primarily intended for people intervening in the event of a water accident (emergency services, CEI, water authorities, and river basin managers).
Time plan
TGM WRI has entered the last phase of preparation of continuous monitoring of water quality in the Bečva river below Valašské Meziříčí in the locality of Lhotka nad Bečvou. A monitoring station has been set up here, which will use the Daph Tox II device, which works with daphnia (of the pearl mussels order) as organisms sensitive to changes in water quality. TGM WRI received the building permit in July 2021, the construction work was in progress until January 2022, the final approval was given on March 7, 2022. In the meantime, negotiations took place with the electricity supplier to start its supply. Subsequently, all functions of the station were checked (ventilation, heating, building security, information transfer), then the Daph Tox II device was brought, and verification operation started. On June 3, 2022, the station was officially put into operation. The station is operated by the TGM WRI branch in Ostrava.
A report for Czech Television (in Czech) by Petr Březina from the Ostrava branch of TGM WRI had discussed the construction of the station. Czech Television, TN.cz and ČTK (all sources in Czech) have informed about the start of the station’s operation subsequently.
