Portable Multiparameter Water Quality Meters — HORIBA LAQUA WQ-300, PC & PD Series

Portable multiparameter water quality meters measure two or more parameters simultaneously from a single handheld instrument — without returning samples to a laboratory. They are the standard tool for environmental field surveys, groundwater assessment, aquaculture management, water treatment monitoring, and wastewater compliance testing where multiple parameters must be measured efficiently at the point of interest.

HORIBA Australia supplies two families of portable multiparameter meters from HORIBA‘s LAQUA range. The WQ-300 Series (WQ-310, WQ-320, WQ-330) are single, dual, and triple-channel smart meters using Automatic Sensor Recognition — electrode kits are purchased separately and any electrode can connect to any channel. The LAQUA PC and PD Series are dual-channel meters supplied as complete kits combining pH/conductivity (PC) or pH/dissolved oxygen (PD) with electrodes and calibration solutions included.

All meters are IP67 rated with data logging and GLP data management. Contact us for advice on selecting the right configuration for your application.

Choose Your Multiparameter Meter

WQ-300 Series vs LAQUA PC/PD Series — Which Do You Need?

The two families serve different buyer profiles and the key decision point is whether you want to choose your own electrodes or receive a complete pre-configured kit.

LAQUA WQ-300 Series — configure to your parameters
The WQ-310, WQ-320, and WQ-330 are the right choice when you need to select your own electrode types, or when your parameter requirements may change over time. Using Automatic Sensor Recognition (ASR), the meter reads the electrode type, calibration data, and settings from the sensor head automatically when connected — any electrode can be used in any channel, and electrodes can be shared between meters without recalibration. Data stores up to 10,000 sets with date, time, and site name, with wireless communitcation and USB output. Electrode kits for pH/ORP, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen are purchased separately.

LAQUA PC and PD Series — complete kits, fixed configuration
The PC210-K, PC220-K, PD210-K, and PD220-K are dual-channel meters supplied as complete kits with electrodes, calibration solutions, and carrying case included. The PC models combine pH with conductivity/TDS/salinity/resistivity; the PD models combine pH with dissolved oxygen. Within each pair, the 210 model stores 500 data points without USB export; the 220 model adds 1,000-point GLP logging with date/time stamp and USB data transfer to PC. Note: ORP electrode (9300-10D) is sold separately for all PC and PD models.

For applications requiring more than three parameters simultaneously — including turbidity, depth, salinity from a submersible probe, and GPS-referenced logging — see the HORIBA U-50 Series submersible multiparameter meters.

HORIBA LAQUA WQ-300 Series — Key Features

Automatic Sensor Recognition (ASR)
When an electrode is connected to any channel of the WQ-310, WQ-320, or WQ-330, the meter reads the electrode type, calibration history, measurement range, and factory settings stored on the sensor head. No manual configuration is required. Electrodes can be moved between meters or between channels without recalibration — a significant advantage for field operations where multiple operators share equipment.

Replaceable Sensor Cartridges
pH and conductivity sensors use a detachable cartridge design. At end of service life, only the cartridge is replaced — not the sensor head or cable. This significantly reduces the ongoing cost of electrode maintenance compared to replacing the entire electrode assembly.

10,000-Point Data Logging with Wireless Transfer
All WQ-300 Series meters store up to 10,000 data sets with date, time, and site name. Data transfers wirelessly — measurements upload to PC automatically when within range of a Wi-Fi network. Standard micro-USB output is also provided. GLP calibration data — including calibration date, standards used, and electrode slope — is stored on each sensor head and reviewable on the meter display.

IP67 Waterproof and Shock-Resistant Housing
All WQ-300 meters are IP67 rated — fully dustproof and protected against temporary immersion. The polycarbonate housing is shock and scratch-resistant, with a one-handed operation design for field use.

Parallel Data Output — 12 Channel
Up to 12 parameters can be output simultaneously via USB, supporting integration with data management systems and enabling real-time monitoring workflows.

Applications for Portable Multiparameter Meters

Environmental Monitoring and Field Surveys
Environmental consultants, government agencies, and water authorities use portable multiparameter meters to measure pH, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen simultaneously from a single site visit. The WQ-320 or WQ-330 with pH, EC, and DO electrode kits is the most common configuration for river, creek, lake, and wetland surveys — providing a comprehensive water quality profile in a single measurement. Wireless data logging reduces transcription errors and eliminates paper-based field recording.

Groundwater Assessment
pH and ORP are standard parameters for characterising groundwater chemistry in contaminated site investigations, bore water assessments, and mining monitoring. The WQ-300 Series with a pH/ORP electrode kit provides simultaneous pH and ORP measurement from a single channel. For deep bore and well applications requiring measurement at depth on cables up to 30m, see the HORIBA U-50 Series submersible probe.

Aquaculture and Hatcheries
Dissolved oxygen, pH, and conductivity/salinity are the three parameters most critical to aquaculture health management. The WQ-320 with pH and DO electrode kits, or the PD210-K complete kit, allows rapid checks across multiple ponds, tanks, or cages in a single survey. The PC210-K or PC220-K adds conductivity and salinity measurement for brackish and marine aquaculture species.

Drinking Water Treatment and Distribution
pH is monitored at multiple points in the treatment process — coagulation, disinfection, and distribution system compliance. ORP verifies disinfectant residual. Conductivity provides a TDS proxy for water purity assessment. The WQ-320 or WQ-330 configured with pH/ORP and conductivity electrode kits covers all three parameters from a single instrument, supporting portable monitoring throughout a treatment facility or distribution network.

Wastewater Compliance
pH, dissolved oxygen, ORP, and conductivity are standard parameters in wastewater treatment monitoring. The WQ-330 with all three electrode types provides a complete portable monitoring solution for biological treatment systems — aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic zones — in a single instrument. GLP data logging with date/time stamping on the WQ-300 Series supports compliance documentation requirements.

Industrial Process Water
Conductivity, pH, and ORP are commonly monitored parameters in food and beverage, pharmaceutical, power generation, and chemical processing. The flexibility of the WQ-300 Series — where any electrode can connect to any channel — makes it practical for operations monitoring different parameters at different stages of a process, using a single meter platform with interchangeable sensor kits.

WQ-300 Series Electrode Kits

Electrode kits for the WQ-300 Series are sold separately. Each kit includes the sensor with cable, calibration solutions, and carrying case. Available electrode kits:

• pH/ORP electrode kit — measures pH and ORP (millivolts) from a single sensor, with replaceable pH cartridge
• Conductivity/TDS/salinity electrode kit — measures conductivity, TDS, salinity, and resistivity with temperature compensation; replaceable conductivity cartridge
• Dissolved oxygen electrode kit — galvanic DO probe measuring DO in mg/L and % saturation with temperature

Replacement cartridges, calibration solutions, and accessories for the WQ-300 Series are available separately. See our calibration solutions and standards range.

Also available from HORIBA Australia Pty Ltd

• All portable water quality meters
• HORIBA U-50 Series submersible multiparameter meters (up to 11 parameters including turbidity, depth and GPS)
• Calibration solutions and buffer standards
• Instrument manuals and brochures
• Contact Australian Scientific for technical support or volume pricing