A MEMS sensor system for monitoring membrane elements in a membrane based water filtration plant having a remote telemetry unit (RTU), a SCADA, and a plurality of MEMS sensors for measuring pressure, flow rate. and conductivity. The water filtration plant has a train with a membrane vessel containing a plurality of membrane elements arranged in series creating interfaces between each membrane element. The MEMS sensors are located at the membrane element interfaces. A method of monitoring membrane elements in a membrane based water filtration plant using a plurality of MEMS sensors for measuring pressure, flow rate. and conductivity placed at the filtration plant membrane element interfaces.