The Environment Agency used a Fluidion Alert 2 bacteria sensor to increase the frequency of E. coli testing at two of the region’s three designated bathing sites, in Ludlow and Shrewsbury. In addition to weekly manual statutory sampling, the project’s bacteria sensors were remotely programmed to automatically provide daily readings. This data significantly increased the accuracy of the baseline bacteria levels in parts of the river’s Severn and Teme.
The data is automatically uploaded to the MeteorCloud® platform over public mobile networks and presented on a public-facing smart app developed by Wolf Logic. The app allows river users to see data relating to water quality in real-time. From this, river users are better informed and able to decide whether or not to risk entering the water. The app has received over 2,000 downloads to date.