Author(s): Ranjan Sarukkalige; Cameron Wright

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Water quality index; Hydroinformatics; Monitoring technologies; PCA; Swan–Canning Estuary; Water management

Abstract: Effective water resource management requires the development of practical, data-driven monitoring tools that can transform large, complex datasets into meaningful indicators for policymakers and the public. This study presents the development and application of an on-site Water Quality Index (WQI) model tailored to the Swan–Canning Estuary in Western Australia, with the aim of improving the monitoring and interpretation of surface water quality for environmental management and recreational use. The research addresses limitations of traditional water quality monitoring, such as restricted spatial coverage, high analytical costs, and technical complexity by constructing a simplified, statistically robust WQI that consolidates key Water Quality Parameters (WQPs) into a single index value. The study utilized ten years of historical water quality data (2014–2024) obtained from the Government of Western Australia, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, encompassing 57 monitoring stations across four primary sampling zones; the Canning River Regional Park, Salter Point, Deep Water Point Reserve, and Swan River. The WQI development followed the four fundamental stages identified in the literature parameter selection, sub-indexing, parameter weighting, and aggregation and applied contemporary statistical methods to enhance objectivity and reliability.

DOI:

Year: 2026