Problems for water ecology arise primarily from phosphorus inputs via soil erosion, nitrate inputs via groundwater and inputs from pesticides. The focus of the National Water Management Plan 2021 is the creation and preservation of intact water habitats and the reduction of material pollution on surface waters. The use of a multi-parameter probe enables permanent observation of the nutrient input into surface water and provides important information about the current, seasonal and event-related level of water quality. The multi-parameter probe enables point measurements as well as long-term monitoring in standing and flowing water. Many different parameters can be measured, especially nitrate and phosphate. The nutrient content determined in this way is a key indicator of the overall condition of a body of water.

This multi-parameter probe has been used to measure diffuse nutrient inputs in an oxbow river of the Enns since spring 2018.