Mikon Metsäpalvelu Makes Water Quality Monitoring Part of Water Stewardship in Forestry

Forestry services company Mikon Metsäpalvelu is integrating real-time water quality monitoring into its water stewardship practices in forestry operations. The LIQUM 6th Sense service and AI-based analytics provide continuous information on water quality, rapidly detect anomalies, and enable action to be taken directly at the worksite.

LIQUM 6th Sense is an established water quality monitoring solution used worldwide. In cooperation with Nordic forestry contracting company Metsäkonepalvelu, Mikon Metsäpalvelu is applying the 6th Sense technology to monitor the impacts of forestry operations on water bodies.

Continuous Monitoring Makes Water-Quality Changes Visible

LIQUM 6th Sense provides a real-time overview of the quality of water by constantly monitoring its electrochemical fingerprint.

An individual water sample only provides information about the composition of the water at the time the sample is taken. Continuous monitoring reveals how water characteristics change at different times of day, in varying weather conditions, and during different stages of forestry operations.

Using large volumes of water quality data, AI learns to recognize the natural variations in a water body. This makes it possible to distinguish normal fluctuations from changes and anomalies that require immediate action.

Every Water Body Has a Unique Fingerprint

The first sensors were installed in flowing water at sites operated by Mikon Metsäpalvelu. Locations were selected where forestry operations could potentially cause material to enter nearby waterways. The sensors were installed towards the end of an early-summer dry period, shortly before rainfall began.

The first observation was dramatic. Following heavy rainfall, the quality of the water changed significantly from its initial state, even though no activities that could have impaired water quality were taking place upstream, explains Mikko Rantanen, Managing Director of Mikon Metsäpalvelu.

This observation demonstrated the importance of understanding the variations that occur naturally in water. Every water body is unique, and its characteristics are influenced by factors such as soil type and weather conditions.

“The sensors must be installed in the water well before forestry operations begin so that the water’s original electrochemical fingerprint can be established,” Rantanen says.
Thereafter, if the fingerprint changes unexpectedly, LIQUM 6th Sense detects the anomaly and generates an Early Warning alert.

AI Distinguishes Anomalies from Natural Variation

Continuous monitoring generates vast amounts of measurement data. AI processes this information continuously and identifies changes that might otherwise go unnoticed.

A key requirement is the ability to distinguish a change potentially caused by forestry operations from the effects of a thunderstorm or other natural event. The longer a site is monitored, the more accurately its normal variation can be understood.

If 6th Sense detects an anomaly in water quality, an Early Warning alert is delivered immediately, both to specialists and to personnel working at the site. This enables an immediate response and the prompt implementation of any necessary corrective action.

Particular Benefits for Sensitive Waterways

Real-time water quality monitoring is especially important near sensitive water bodies, such as streams and rivulets protected under Finland’s Forest Act. The technology supports responsible operations in situations where crossing a waterway is logistically unavoidable.

Reliable water quality data can be used to verify that the work has not caused any detectable changes in water quality. If changes are observed, action can be taken without delay.

Real-time water quality data and AI do not replace careful planning, adequate buffer zones, appropriate water management, or professional execution of the work. Instead, they complement these practices by providing a continuous overview of actual environmental conditions.

An Easy-to-Use Solution for Demanding Field Conditions

According to Rantanen, deploying the sensors is straightforward: the sensor is switched on, secured firmly in position, and placed in the water to begin measuring.

Digita’s nationwide LoRaWAN IoT network enables reliable data transmission from monitoring sites across extensive forest areas. This makes the service easy to scale and provides real-time situational awareness even in remote locations.

LIQUM 6th Sense gives forestry operators continuous visibility into water quality. Real-time data and AI-based analytics help prevent adverse impacts on water bodies, verify responsible operations, and promote water stewardship in forestry.

For further information, please contact
Richard Booth
General Manager
Liqum Oy
phone: +44 7778 635853
info@liqum.com