Portable Air Monitoring Station near Chipman Up and Running

Posted on July 2, 2019

Fort Air Partnership’s (FAP) portable continuous air monitoring station near the Village of Chipman is now operational. It began reporting data in mid-June.

The station is located in a Batiuk Water Commission compound about 500 metres north of Chipman on Range Road 185.  Live data from the station, plus a daily and forecast Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) are available on our website.

The portable station was previously located in Bon Accord. The Chipman area was selected as the current location for the portable station because of several key factors, including being a populated area currently underserved by continuous air monitoring.  We use a Portable Site Selection Process to rank prospective sites and choose locations.

“Having a portable continuous air monitoring station is a very valuable resource. It gives us the flexibility to monitor air quality in areas previously underserved, as well as respond to emerging issues” said Nadine Blaney, FAP’s Executive Director.

In addition to weather information, the station is collecting and reporting data on 10 substances: sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, ozone, total hydrocarbons, non-methane hydrocarbons, methane and particulate matter. This data enables the calculation of an AQHI for the local area.

The portable station will remain at its current location for at least six months. FAP is operating the station but the Batiuk Water Commission is providing the site.  “The Village of Chipman and the Water Commission were very helpful in securing the property. We thank them for providing the site to us at no charge,” said Blaney.

We have 10 continuous air monitoring stations in and around Alberta’s Industrial Heartland. The AQHI and near real time data for every substance at every station is on our website. Information about FAP is also available by calling 1-800-718-0471. Our collection and reporting on substances that affect air quality is transparent, guided by a scientific advisory group, and driven by national and provincial standards.