Abstract: The invention concerns an online method and system for monitoring properties of an aqueous stream of an industrial process. The method comprises providing an initial aqueous stream originating from said process, the aqueous stream containing solid matter exhibiting a first settling behavior; adding modifying agent to the initial aqueous stream at an addition rate sufficient to provide a modified aqueous stream containing solid matter exhibiting a second settling behavior different from the first settling behavior; conducting a sample of the initial aqueous stream or modified aqueous stream, any combination stream comprising the modified aqueous stream or any substream of the modified aqueous stream batchwise from a sampling point to a settling vessel having a volume; and measuring the settling behavior of the solid matter in the sample locally in the settling vessel as a function of time.