Inaugural European Distributors' Meeting

Waterra-In-Situ is delighted to have hosted an enthusiastic 1st European Distributors' Meeting

Following our announcement back in August 2012 that Waterra-In-Situ had been appointed as the European distribution centre for In-Situ® Inc. we were delighted to play recent host to our first formal gathering of distributors on November 20-21st 2012.

Held over two days, with 16 distribution representatives from across the EU; senior guests from In-Situ Inc.'s head office in Colorado; and the entire Waterra In-Situ Team, this was a truly multi-national experience.

Essentially it was our opportunity to explain our future strategy for Europe whilst highlighting the strength in depth that the organisation has at its disposal. We offer a tremendous range of products that encompasses both groundwater and surface water monitoring applications, an ever-growing pool of rental equipment and a service capability providing expert telephone support. In addition, we bring faster access to stock and both distributor and end-user training, all with the renowned Waterra-In-Situ customer service.

Our visitors were treated to product demonstrations, service overviews and case studies to underline that strength in depth. At the same time this was a relationship building exercise that started to shape an emerging, combined European-wide force in the water monitoring market.


Waterra-In-Situ’s MD Jonathan Trelfa was delighted with the response from the attendees:

"This session has started the process of re-igniting In-Situ® Inc.'s European distribution network. The feedback we got from delegates both during and after the event highlighted their enthusiasm for the enhanced product and service portfolio that's now available to support them in Europe.  We are all expecting great cooperation and business opportunities."

For more information call us today on +44 (0) 121 733 7743 or email jon.trelfa@waterra-in-situ.com.


Waterra-In-Situ - Leaders in groundwater monitoring equipment rental

WWEM 2012 round up

We hope that you enjoyed WWEM 2012 as much as we did.

For Waterra-In-Situ the WWEM conference and trade show was an excellent opportunity to highlight the many changes that the company has been through over the past year.

New people, new products and a much greater emphasis on our role as a European-wide player.

For many of the visitors to our stand it was a first opportunity to meet our new Field Sales management team of Kayleigh Smith and Tom Stone.

With some fantastic sector experience behind him Tom was a recognisable face for lots of people. For Kayleigh it was more of a question of "we know that voice" - since she has been the first point of contact with Waterra-In-Situ via the telephone for some time.

TROLL® 9500 in field use

Naturally the Waterra-In-Situ stand had a broad selection of our products on display.  pride of place though goes to the TROLL® 9500 multi-parameter water quality instrument, which we had set up in low flow test mode.  It seems that the low flowing sampling approach that we have talked about for some time has now gained the full attention of the industry.  Equipment like the TROLL 9500 allows operators to get the full advantages of highly accurate and consistent measurement whilst meeting both the demands of environmental legislation and the need to tightly control costs.

As for the company's new position in the market we were delighted with the interest our presence created amongst European and global visitors to the conference. The establishment of a European distribution centre in the UK means that we can reduce both the lead time and cost of deliveries to our distributor network and, of course, this means that end-users are much better served.  

So a good couple of days all round.  See you next year?

For more information contact our support desk on +44 (0) 121 733 7743 or email sales@waterra-in-situ.com, today.

Waterra-In-Situ - Groundwater monitoring equipment for professionals

Groundwater sampling methodology - contaminated land

The latest thinking on groundwater sampling methodologies for contaminated land from Peter Dumble and Lindsay McMillan

Peter Dumble, Waterra-In-Situ Technical Director, and Lindsay McMillan, NERC Doctoral Researcher at Birmingham University, presented the findings of research (a NERC PhD case studentship study conducted by Lindsay and part funded by Waterra-In-Situ and the Environment Agency) into approaches to groundwater sampling, at the Scottish Contaminated Land Forum (SCLF) on September 18th 2012.

The presentation, entitled "Groundwater sampling methodology - guidance, good practice and the importance of screen length in the assessment of contaminated land" (click to download), highlighted the issues facing hydrogeologists in obtaining reliable results when attempting to measure the distribution of contaminants in aquifers particularly when sampling from long-screened monitoring wells.

It provided some early insights from Lindsay's research into how using measurement of vertical flows within long-screened wells can be used to improve understanding of the concentration of water quality in the adjacent aquifer - which can be very different from the sample taken in the well.

Peter Dumble commented:

"The research at Birmingham University is beginning to provide  a fresh solution to the problem of interpreting water quality samples taken from long-screened wells. 

There is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding data and this research is aimed at providing good science, tools and guidance for the future to benefit everyone responsible for monitoring the groundwater environment."

For more information on this topic visit the groundwater monitoring methodologies section of our website, contact our technical sales team on +44 (0) 121 733 7743 or email sales@waterra-in-situ.com, today.



Waterra In-Situ -  Sampling at up to 60m with the SS Geosub submersible pump

Waterra-In-Situ at WWEM 2012

Waterra-In-Situ is delighted to be showing off a wide range of level and quality groundwater monitoring equipment at WWEM 2012.

Aqua TROLL® 400

Visitors to the company’s stand (No. 62) will see the flagship TROLL® 9500 multi-parameter water quality instrument, and our breakthrough Aqua TROLL® 400, which features EPA-approved RDO® sensors as standard.

Our expert team will be on hand to discuss any aspect of our product portfolio and we are also running a workshop - “Using In-Situ Flow-SenseTM Software to Simplify Recording and Reporting of Groundwater Quality Stabilisation Parameters” - on Thursday 8th November in Room 3.

We are really looking forward to the opportunity of talking to as many of you as possibly to get your perspectives on our product range and giving you the opportunity to take a look at the capabilities of our equipment.

The full complement of equipment on display is as follows:

Barometric Instruments
Rugged BaroTROLL and BaroTROLL

Absolute (non-vented) Pressure, Level & Temperature Data Loggers
Rugged TROLL 100 & 200
Level TROLL 300, 500 & 700

Gauged (vented) Pressure, Level & Temperature Data Loggers
Level TROLL 500 & 700

Gauged (vented) Temperature & Conductivity Logger
Aqua TROLL 100

Gauged (vented) Pressure, Level, Temperature & Conductivity Logger 
Aqua TROLL 200

Multi-parameter Water Quality Instrument
Aqua TROLL 400
For: Actual & Specific Conductivity, Salinity, TDS, Resistivity, ORP, pH, Temperature, Water Level & Water Pressure (absolute)

Multi-parameter Water Quality Instrument
TROLL 9500
Customisable from: Level/Pressure , pH or pH/ORP, Temperature, Turbidity or Turbidity/Level, DO, Conductivity – actual, specific, TDS, specific gravity

For more information call us today on +44 (0) 121 733 7743 or email sales@waterra-in-situ.com



Waterra-In-Situ - Peristaltic low flow sampling pump available to rent

Go deep with the SS Geosub

SS Geosub low voltage submersible pump

The SS Geosub low voltage submersible pump:  Sampling from up to 60 metres head of water.

Waterra-In-Situ is delighted to announce the addition of the SS Geosub low voltage sampling pump to its range of groundwater monitoring pumps.

The SS Geosub is constructed from stainless steel which means it can operate in harsh well conditions.  It is designed to sample from depths of up to 60 metres but a drop tube assembly can be used to go deeper where water level is within the head range of the pump.

Waterra-In-Situ Technical Director, Peter Dumble, is particularly enthusiastic about the Geosub's low flow capability:

"With the addition of the Geosub Controller this pump gives you the ability to control flow rates down to 10ml/l.  This is more than adequate for providing low flow rates for groundwater sampling and you can achieve it in deep boreholes.  A great package."

The SS Geosub is available in kit that includes pump, reel and tubing (both PE and TLPE are available). A number of pump components are both replaceable parts and customer serviceable, which reduces equipment down time.

For more information click any of the product links listed above, contact our technical sales team on +44 (0) 121 733 7743 or email sales@waterra-in-situ.com, today.


Waterra-In-Situ - For your choice in field ready water quality testing equipment

Supporting RedR / HWB "Hands on Weekend"

Waterra-In-Situ is providing technical expertise for monitoring water resources for development workers.

RedR UK is an international disaster relief charity which trains aid workers and provides skilled professionals to humanitarian programmes worldwide. HWB is an international register of Hydrogeologists interested in development work.

RedR runs a series of "Hands on Weekends" to enhance participants understanding of the challenges surrounding technical response in humanitarian disasters.

On September 14th 2012 RedR UK in association with HWB has organised a  "Hydrogeology for Engineers" weekend which aims to develop knowledge of groundwater, drilling supervision and groundwater monitoring, primarily for water engineers and managers.

Peter Dumble demonstrating
low flow sampling methodologies

The weekend focuses on providing a greater understanding of groundwater behaviour, how to conduct monitoring programmes, effective siting and management of boreholes and correct data collection and analysis.

The course will  be led by an expert team that includes Waterra-In-Situ's Technical Director, Peter Dumble. Peter has vast experience related to monitoring of groundwater level and quality for water resource assessments and has been a long-term supporter of development projects in various parts of Africa.

This Hands on Weekend runs from the 14th to the 16th of September at Silsoe, near Bedford in the UK, and costs only £150 excluding accomodation.

For more course details and to book visit the RedR UK events page today.


Waterra-In-Situ - Choose In-Situ RDO® sensors for advanced dissolved oxygen monitoring

Improved Support for our European customers

Jonathan Trelfa -
Managing Director, Europe

Waterra-In-Situ has been appointed as the European distribution centre for In-Situ® Inc 

Waterra-In-Situ has been appointed as the European distribution centre for sales, supply and technical support. This move will increase the local support available to the In-Situ® Inc customer base providing:

• A single point of contact for sales, technical support and administration
• € EURO denominated price lists and invoicing 
• A UK-based warehouse operation to take care of customs' and import duties, offer European shipping charges and reduce delivery times

Waterra-In-Situ’s MD, Jonathan Trelfa, who has a background of managing multi-site businesses across Europe, has been appointed to the additional role as Managing Director, Europe. Dieter Grieß, based in Germany, steps into the Distribution Manager role to closely focus on the needs of the company's distribution partners and growing German business.

Dieter Grieß,
European Distribution Manager

Jonathan Trelfa believes that the new organisation will greatly enhance In-Situ® Inc's ability to meet the needs of  the European market:

"These changes allow us to fully leverage both the advanced capability of our product portfolio and the  expertise of our existing UK and European operation.  We now offer local support that is fully integrated into the wider In-Situ® Inc business structure."

For more information call us today on +44 (0) 121 733 7743 or email jon.trelfa@waterra-in-situ.com.


Waterra-In-Situ - Leaders in water level and water quality monitoring instrumentation

Durable Dataloggers

Now we have been working with the In-Situ Inc. TROLL® range of water level instruments for several months some of their key features are being very apparent to both us and our clients.

We are particularly impressed by their versatilty (vented cable and absolute pressure options are available across the range), the detailed calibration record provided to customers with each logger, and their proven ability to operate accurately over a wide temperature range - unlike many competitor models which drift significantly in response to temperature changes.

It's all down to 4 factors:

• Most of the TROLL® products have a titanium casing. This use of high quality titanium in manufacturing makes the units inherently corrosion and chemical resistant - and far superior to coated stainless steel alternatives.


• Sensors are made of ceramics or titanium, which makes them particularly hardy and resistant to fouling. Further protection is possible with In-Situ anti fouling systems.


• Loggers are fully sealed unit, avoiding the problem of damage due to water intrusion frequently associated with non sealed alternatves.


• Batteries are guaranteed to last for 5 years when reading every 15 minutes. TROLL loggers use the same batteries as competitors who will not offer any guarantee on battery life despite making bold statements suggesting 10 year longevity!

The TROLL® range is suitable for a wide variety of groundwater and surface water monitoring applications. Check out our website for more information or call our technical support team today on +44 (0)121 733 7743. Remember that you can try them out for yourselves by using our equipment rental service.


Waterra UK - Experts in zero purge/passive groundwater sampling equipment

On Site Training Day at Leeds University

It was back to the classroom for Waterra-In-Situ Technical Director Peter Dumble recently, as he spent a day training a Leeds University research team in the capabilities of the Level TROLL® 500 data logger.

Peter Dumble setting up a TROLL
500 data logger

In a highly competitive tendering process Waterra-In-Situ's  Level TROLL 500 vented data loggers were chosen as the logging system for a Leeds University research study. The study involves an investigation of ecological changes induced by small water level at the fringes of peatlands.

The Level TROLL 500 was able to deliver proven accuracy (to NIST externally accredited certification standards) of ±2 mm within water columns of up to 1.1 metres. These are ruggedised solid titanium loggers designed to survive difficult field conditions for a lengthy monitoring period - essential for the Leeeds University project.

With over 50 monitoring locations and a field study team raring to go, Peter's task was to make sure that everybody was up to speed on the installation and operation of both the TROLL 500 and the associated Win-Situ® software and Rugged READER PDA.

"We have provided a system that strikes a balance between minimising field time and maintaining accuracy in order for the researchers at Leeds to study small groundwater and surface water level changes in peatlands."  

"The use of vented systems, which removes the need for separate barometric compensation, simplifies the processing of field data and enables consistently greater accuracy in the field, whilst being intuitively easier for end users to understand and use."

Hands on training

The training course included a hands-on demonstration and workshop of logging equipment backed up with a large slice of Peter's experience in conducting groundwater and surface water monitoring. Course participants are already putting their newly found knowledge into practice during the currrent field season.

The course highlights Waterra-In-Situ's capacity to run customised training for organisations and businesses, in addition to its public data logging and low flow groundwater sampling courses.

For more information on our range of data logging products or a training services contact our technical sales team today, on +44 (0) 121 733 7743 or email sales@waterra-in-situ.com.



Waterra-In-Situ - Water quality instruments: from pocket testers to multiparameter monitoring

Water Quality Monitoring Equipment - Our Speciality

The recent launch of the Aqua TROLL® 400 into the UK and Ireland highlighted Waterra-In-Situ's latest technological advance in the water quality monitoring sector.  What you may not have realised is that the device is just one of our portfolio of advanced water quality instruments.

Waterra-In-Situ offer a great range of water quality monitoring equipment

Waterra In-Situ has a wide range of water quality monitoring instruments that are suitable for many different commercial and scientific applications from aquaculture to remediation.

We can provide devices as simple as single parameter pocket testers to the TROLL 9500 low flow multiparameter monitoring instrument.  There is something to suit almost any water quality testing project requirement or operating environment.

Here's a quick run through of what we have available:

• Aqua TROLL 100  - conductivity and temperature data logger
• Aqua TROLL 200  - Features as above plus water level/pressure logging
• Aqua TROLL® 400  - 12 parameter water quality monitoring
• TROLL 9500  - multiparameter water quality instrument
• Orion 5 Star Portable Meters  - ruggedised for field environmental monitoring
• WQMP multiparameter water quality meter  - available with built-in GPS for accurate logging
• Environmental Monitoring Kit  - A set of IP67 hand held meters for specific measurement
• Pocket Testers  - single and dual parameter monitoring of pH, EC, Temperature and ORP 
• Specific-Ion Colorimeters  - rapid field surveillance of alkalinity, ammonia and turbidity

If you are engaged in water quality testing and sampling for environmental monitoring, groundwater and surface water supplies, remediation, construction or waste management projects then we have equipment to help.


For more information click any of the product links listed above, contact our technical sales team on +44 (0) 121 733 7743 or email sales@waterra-in-situ.com, today.



Waterra-In-Situ - For your choice in peristaltic and centrifugal suction pumps

NEW Aqua TROLL® 400 launched

Waterra In-Situ is delighted to announce the launch of the Aqua TROLL® 400 multiparameter water quality instrument in the UK and Ireland.

The Aqua TROLL 400 incorporates breakthrough design and technology from In-Situ Inc.'s advanced research and development facilities, including;

• EPA-approved RDO® sensors
• Automatic salinity compensation for DO readings 
• Advanced construction materials such as; Titanium, 316 stainless steel and Viton®

This all new instrument uses In-Situ's proven sensor platform and offers continuous measurement for 12 key water quality parameters (DO, ORP, EC and pH amongst others). The Aqua TROLL 400 can withstand long-term deployment in the harshest of conditions, including coastal, mining and remediation environments.

Peter Dumble, Waterra In-Situ's Technical Director believes that the Aqua TROLL 400 will find favour for telemetry and process control applications:

"The instrument packs a real punch in terms of both the breadth of parameters it monitors as standard and its durability. However I think that accuracy and long-lasting calibration are the winning features here because of the benefits they bring in terms of data confidence and reduced maintenance."

The compact (47 mm OD x 229 mm) Aqua TROLL 400 employs a range of open communication protocols (SDI-12, Modbus / RS485)  enabling data access via a range of devices, SCADA/PLC control systems and telemetry systems.

For more information visit the Aqua TROLL 400 product page on our website, contact our technical sales team on +44 (0) 121 733 7743 or email sales@waterra-in-situ.com, today



Waterra In-Situ - Have you considered our rental option for water level and temperature loggers

We're Hiring! Experienced Field Sales Manager Required

Waterra-In-Situ is continuing to enjoy strong growth in the sales of its specialist groundwater, surface water and water quality monitoring equipment.  

We are looking for an experienced Field Sales Manager to further develop technical sales in the UK and Ireland.

You will become part of an experienced and highly-motivated team based in the UK, supported by a leading global manufacturer of quality instrumentation.

The Waterra-In-Situ Team

The successful candidate must be a highly motivated, energetic and practical person with proven experience selling or using monitoring equipment within the water and/or process engineering industries.

A relevant degree and experience with products such as water quality instruments and sondes or level and conductivity sensors/loggers would be highly advantageous, as would a working knowledge of telemetry systems.

Salary will be dependent on experience and the package includes a bonus, company car and pension.

A detailed job specification, with links to an application form, is available on our website. If you would like a preliminary discussion in confidence, please call Jon Trelfa, Managing Director, on 07534 509195. APPLICATION DEADLINE - Monday 18th June 2012

Employment Agencies - Please DO NOT contact us!


Check out our new multi- and single-parameter, hand-held, water quality meters  with special launch offers available.

London Training Courses

Half Day Sampling and Data Logger Courses in London - June 2012

Waterra In-Situ is delighted to announce that we will be in the capital to deliver our popular half-day seminars on Groundwater Sampling and Data Loggers in June.

Our "bite-sized" courses will provide you with the latest thinking on methodologies, equipment and best practice field operation for groundwater sampling and level measurement.

The Groundwater Sampling Methodology and Equipment course (on 13th June) looks at the impact of new Environment Agency standards and examines what sampling methodologies are now available.

The Water Level Measurement using Data Loggers course (on June 14th) focuses on what data logging technology is now available and highlights some of the issues you need to overcome to maintain accurate field measurements.

Both courses are being held at the offices of WaterAid UK, situated at 47-49 Durham Street, London SE11 5JD close to Vauxhall tube station.

There is more information about both courses on the Training section of our website and a link to our downloadable booking form.  If you need assistance then simply call +44 (0)121 733 7743 and we'd be delighted to help.

The courses are accredited by the Geological Society for CPD with discounts available for Geological Society Members and for multiple bookings.



Waterra In-Situ - For your choice of surface water sampling and monitoring equipment

Special offers - Water quality meters and passive samplers

To show that we are not fazed by the extraordinary weather conditions that have given us simultaneous drought and flooding, Waterra In-Situ would like to highlight 2 limited time special offers that might catch your interest.

Orion Star A Portable Meters
for Environmental Monitoring
in the field 

With our first great offer we are marking the launch of our new Orion Star A hand-held, water quality meters with an introductory 15% off the list price until July 31st 2012.

The new addition to our range uses In-Situ® Inc RDO® probe technology offering pH/ISE/Conductivity/RDO/Dissolved Oxygen metering in multiparameter and single parameter options.

Our second offer is all about making it easier for you to try out an alternative approach to purging and and low-flow sampling in groundwater monitoring boreholes.

You'll receive 10% off orders of our Hydrasleeve passive samplers (up to 20 units) through until July 31st.

Click on the links above for more product information, call our sales team on +44 (0)121 733 7743 or email sales@waterra-in-situ.com. 

Waterra In-Situ - For all of your surface water monitoring equipment requirements

Impact of Drought on Groundwater Monitoring

Despite the intensive rainfall of the second half of April, many parts of the UK are still in drought and it is still vitally important that we continue to conserve tap-water. Whilst surface waters are flooding, very little of this water will enter our groundwater aquifers which provides the majority of our drinking water supply in large parts of southern and south-eastern England in particular. 

The term "groundwater" has finally entered the imagination of the general public. Sadly this is mainly due to the recently declared drought in the southern parts of England which are most dependent on groundwater sources for water supply. The short term problems will become very clear over the next few months. But what are the longer term implications?

Reproduced Courtesy of the Groundwater Forum

The Environment Secretary declared official drought status for the South East of England on 20th February 2012. Rainfall has been substantially below long term average across the region for the last 18 months (inlcuding two very dry winters), and as a result reservoir levels, river flows and groundwater levels are well below normal - even lower than in the last major drought of 1976.

The Environment Agency and water companies have responded by introducing drought plans to manage abstraction or introduce temporary restrictions. Clearly a drought provides immediate issues for both providers and consumers of water.

Records from the time of the drought in 1976 show that the recharge rates are slow and it can take take several years of normal rainfall for aquifers to fully recover to their pre-drought levels.

The key challenge for water companies and the Environment Agency will be to manage abstraction levels within the sustainability guidelines set by the water quality directive and any drought controls that have been put in place. This will be accompanied by the need to continuously monitor aquifer recovery rates.

These changes present a variety of time, resource and cost challenges to borehole operators. Waterra In-Situ and its partners have in-depth technical support capabilities to help with groundwater and surface water monitoring requirements - whether this is for level or quality monitoring.

Our expertise is backed up with a portfolio of innovative water monitoring and testing equipment to suit a variety of different functional requirements. You can rent water monitoring equipment too, which allows you to supplement existing equipment when required or try out new ways of doing things without incurring capital cost.

For more assistance in choosing the correct equipment for your needs contact our support team on +44 (0) 121 733 7743 or email sales@waterra-in-situ.com.

Waterra In-Situ - Groundwater pumps: bladder, centrifugal, inertial, peristaltic & submersible

Environmental Monitoring Kit 3-in-1 Savings

The EMK includes 3 IP67 waterproof
environmental meters.

Waterra In-Situ's Environmental Monitoring Kit (EMK) comprises three individual meters and their corresponding calibration solutions and offers a saving of at least 12% on the cost of the items if bought separately.

The EMK includes IP67-rated meters to measure:

• pH, ORP and temperature


• Conductivity, salinity and TDS


• Dissolved oxygen

The kit gives environmental professionals a huge range of functionality in a format that is portable enough for field use, yet accurate enough for laboratory use if required.

Peter Dumble, Waterra In-Situ's Technical Director, believes that the EMK represents excellent value for money:

Peter Dumble,  Technical Director
Waterra In-Situ  

"We listened carefully to what customers asked for and responded in two ways.

Firstly we brought together what the market regarded as the key environmental monitoring parameters for groundwater and surface water monitoring and put these into a single, affordable package. Secondly we specified field ready components with features such as replaceable electrodes to keep usage costs as low as possible.

It's another sign of our on-going committment to providing the right equipment at the right price."

The EMK comes with everything you need to get started, while calibration and test solutions, and DO membranes are available in stock to replenish your supplies.

The only major additional option is a Sheffield LFC flow through cell. This eliminates air contact with samples to satisfy UK and EU monitoring guidance for groundwater field measurements.

To order your Environmental Monitoring Kit contact our technical sales team today on +44 (0) 121 733 7743 or email sales@waterra-in-situ.com.

Waterra In-Situ - Check out our new range of water quality testing equipment

Interpretation of Water Quality Samples

Lindsay McMillan, PhD researcher at Birmingham University, will be presenting the findings of her research at two of Waterra In-Situ's groundwater sampling courses in May.


You may remember that Waterra In-Situ, along with the Environment Agency, provided support funding to a NERC PhD case studentship study. Our researcher, Lindsay McMillan, has studied advances in the improved accuracy and reliability of methodologies and equipment for groundwater sampling from long-screen monitoring wells and boreholes.

Lindsay will be presenting insights into her research under the title "Interpretation of Water Quality Samples from Long Screened Wells" as part of Waterra In-Situ's "Groundwater Sampling - Methodology and Equipment" training courses being held in Birmingham on the 16th and 17th May 2012.

The training course looks in detail at the equipment and methodologies available for effective sampling and includes hands-on demonstrations of a wide range of pumps, bailers and passive sampling devices.

Visit the training page on our website for more details and download the booking form ready to secure your place.


Waterra In-Situ - Low flow sampling and purging specialists

Optical Dissolved Oxygen Probe For DO Monitoring

Waterra In-Situ announces the launch of the RDO^® PRO Optical (DO) Dissolved Oxygen sensor into the UK and Irish marketplace!

The In-Situ RDO ^® Optical Dissolved Oxygen sensor offers superior performance over traditional membrane-style DO sensors (based on a rigorous US Environmental Protection Agency ATP process) across a range of factors including:

• Speed of response


• Sensitivity


• Accuracy in low DO conditions

The RDO ^® PRO sensor features a highly robust design that allows it to be deployed in conditions of high salinity and harsh process monitoring environments such as dam discharges and wastewater treatment plants.

The probe can be supplied in single parameter DO probe format ready for connection to existing process control or logging systems, and as an option in our TROLL ^® 9500 multiparameter water quality instrument.

Peter Dumble, Waterra In-Situ's Technical Director, believes that the sensor is an excellent addition to the company's water quality monitoring range.

"The new sensor offers extremely stable measurement capability, which makes it ideal for long-term deployment.

I am impressed by its ability to hold and maintain calibration. Compared to traditional DO probes, te RDO is a real pleasure to work with in field conditions providing cosnistently reliable results for extended monitoring prgrammes."

For more information on Waterra In-Situ's RDO^® PRO Optical (DO) Dissolved Oxygen sensor and our other water quality monitoring equipment call our technical support team on +44 (0)121 733 7743 or email sales@waterra-in-situ.com.


Waterra In-Situ - Leading providers of water level and interface measurement tapes

James Sorensen - Guest Speaker

We are delighted to have James Sorensen of the British Geological Survey as a guest speaker on our NEW data logging CPD course.

In-Situ Rugged TROLL
Water Level Loggers

James Sorensen from the British Geological Survey will be a guest speaker at our 1 day CPD course on "Water Level Measurement using Data Loggers" in Birmingham on 28th March 2012.

James will be giving us an insight into "Logger Accuracy and the Need for Industry Standards" based on research he recently conducted for a recently published paper in Groundwater Monitoring Review (Sorensen & Butcher 2011). His findings showed the inconsistency in results across a sample of device from 14 leading brands and highlighted poor calibration and drift as being key problems.

The Waterra In-Situ CPD course provides a practical guide to using data loggers inb the field, stressing the importance of good field practice and with some useful insights on how to improve data accuracy. Delegates will discover how both vented (gauge) and non-vented (absolute) pressure loggers work, understand how to set them up and use them most effectively and find out how to overcome common problems.

To reserve your place visit the training pages on our website to find out more and download your booking form today.


Waterra In-Situ - Water level logger rental: a cost effective solution for your equipment needs

New Bailers Added To The Waterra In-Situ Range

Waterra In-Situ has added a number of new reusable bailers to its extensive range of sampling equipment for boreholes and wells.

Reusable bailers in PVC
and stainless steel

The new items are available in a choice of white or clear PVC, and stainless steel and can be disassembled for easy rinsing and decontamination to be used multiple times. Bailers can be ordered in single quantities and are available in diameters from 18mm OD to 89 mm OD and in lengths from 0.3m to 1.5m.

The white PVC bailer provide the most economical method of sampling, while the clear PVC version is designed to make it easy to detect floating hydrocarbons.

The stainless steel reusable bailer is the most rugged model in the range and is suitable for manual well development. Both standard and VOC emptying devices are available for these devices.

Check out the reusable bailers page on the Waterra In-Situ website for more details of available bailer diameters and length.

For more assistance in choosing the correct model for your needs contact our support team on +44 (0) 121 733 7743 or email sales@waterra-in-situ.com.

Waterra In-Situ - Discover our full range of single and multi parameter water quality testing instruments

Water Level Data Loggers – Why Standards are Required

If you thought that you could rely on the manufacturer’s specification to compare the accuracy of water level data loggers, think again. A comprehensive research paper testing the performance of 14 leading brands has highlighted a large range of inconsistencies. Peter Dumble, Technical Director at Waterra In-Situ, reflects on the report.

Peter Dumble, Technical
Director, Waterra In-Situ

The 2011 paper by Sorenson and Butcher of the British Geological Survey “Water Level Monitoring Pressure Transducers – A Need for Industry-Wide Standards” (Posted from Ground Water Monitoring & Remediation with permission of the National Ground Water Association. Copyright 2011) has highlighted some key issues for everybody involved in ground water and surface water level monitoring.

The paper looks at the results of comprehensive laboratory and field tests on 14 leading brands of pressure-transducer based water level logging devices, and the results are troubling.

• In laboratory tests poor temperature compensation was a particularly significant issue, with 5 sensors showing substandard performance.



• In field tests variations in pressure recording during extreme temperatures or rapid temperature changes were also outside of the stated ranges for several sensors. The authors highlighted two factors as causes of inaccuracy:
  - Sensor design and the efficacy of correction algorithms
  - Lack of thoroughness by manufacturers in instrument calibration



• Field testing also exposed the problem of drift, with sensor accuracy deteriorating over time. One high pressure sensor drifted by up to 181mm. The paper comments that drift “may be the key accuracy determinant during long term water level monitoring”.

We fully support the paper’s call for industry wide standards for both calibration and specification. Hydrogeologists, geotechnical consultants and environmental consultants need to be able to make their choice of equipment based on actual performance and the real capability, not on untested supplier aspirations. Monitoring organisations and field engineers should be able to trust the measurements they are receiving, especially as the trend for reductions in the number of site visits accelerates.

At Waterra In-Situ we are proud to be judged on performance. All of our water level and water quality monitoring equipment is precision engineered and features solid titanium housings and a choice of both ceramic and titanium sensors for sustainable long term deployment. Level sensors are calibrated across their full operating temperature and pressure range to ensure that they conform fully to their stated accuracy. Factory calibration is conducted to fully traceable external national standards (NIST - National Institute of Standards and Technology).

As a result we are confident that we state the accuracy specifications of our loggers, that's what you will get in the real world.

To find out more about the testing and calibration of the Waterra In-Situ range contact our support team on +44 (0) 121 733 7743 or email sales@waterra-in-situ.com.


There is more information on the accuracy and calibration of our loggers on the website and we have a one day data loggers training course on March 28th 2012 that focuses on improving the accuracy of water level measurement. 

Exceptional Demand for Belfast Groundwater Sampling Training

We were delighted at the level of interest shown when running the groundwater sampling training course in Belfast on 13th & 14th December 2011.

This course attracted more delegates than to any of our previous courses leading us to run the course on two separate days in order to meet demand! We were fortunate in attracting deegates from a wide range of sectors including environmental consultants, regulators, universities, local authorities and water companies.

Delegates gained the latest insights into groundwater sampling methods and a better understanding of regulatory guidance. The content must have been good because we received an aggregate score of 1.2 on the Geological Society CPD assessment scale where 1 is excellent and 5 is very poor. Thank you to those who were there!

The session was lead by Hydrogeologist, Peter Dumble, Waterra In-Situ’s Technical Director, who is the principal author of the current Environment Agency and SEPA guidance for monitoring leachate, groundwater and surface water at landfill sites. Peter was full of praise for the course audience:

“Groundwater quality monitoring is a vital safeguard to ensure water supply for public consumption, agricultural, industrial and and ecological use, whilst quality status is an important part of the monitoring and reporting requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive. These interests were reflected in the backgrounds of all those present. 

The high attendance, attentiveness of delegates to our presentations and demonstrations, and the quality of the questions I received were outstanding. There was particular interest in low flow and passive sampling methods with many concerns expressed at the practicality of using low flow and the requirements of regulators when switching between methodologies".

Delegates provided some good testimonials for the course:

‘Good to mix up some practical knowledge with the theory. Knowledgeable team presenting’

‘The course presenter was very knowledgeable which helped when I had queries and questions’

‘Very good and interesting – provides a lot for thought!’

Our next half day Groundwater Sampling course will be in Warrington on 8th February 2012 followed by our annual 1 day course in Birmingham on 23 May 2012. We have already almost filled the course in Warrington, so book now for this event!

For more information and to download a booking form for Warrington or Birmingham visit the training pages on our website.


Waterra In-Situ - Check out our range of active and passive skimmers for the removal of LNAPL layers