Which stormwater monitoring technique is commonly used to assess water quality?

Grab sampling is a crucial stormwater monitoring technique used to assess water quality because it involves collecting a discrete, representative sample of water at a specific point in time. This method allows operators to analyze various water quality parameters, such as pH, turbidity, and the presence of pollutants, providing insight into the immediate condition of stormwater runoff.

This technique is beneficial when assessing the impact of stormwater discharges, especially after rainfall events when contaminants can wash into stormwater systems. The data obtained through grab samples can inform operators about compliance with regulatory standards and the efficiency of best management practices in place.

While continuous flow measurement, water temperature logging, and visual inspections are important for various aspects of stormwater management, they serve different functions. Continuous flow measurement helps to understand the volume of water being managed, water temperature logging can indicate changes that could affect aquatic organisms, and visual inspections are mainly qualitative assessments. However, none of these methods provide a direct analysis of water quality like grab sampling does.