AI Water Quality Monitors Deployed Across Southern England

Real-time water quality monitors are being installed at various wild swimming locations and beaches in southern England to assess the immediate risk of illness from polluted water. This initiative follows a successful trial at Warleigh Weir near Bath, where an AI system, developed by the UK-based startup UnifAI Technology, accurately predicted high bacterial levels 87% of the time. Wessex Water is installing sensors at freshwater sites in Dorset, Somerset, and Hampshire, as well as coastal areas in Bournemouth. Southern Water is testing similar systems in Kent and Hampshire. These AI-based systems are connected, using real-time sensors to gather data on factors like pH, temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and ammonia levels. The data is analyzed on a central platform, which provides timely public alerts through an app, updating water quality information every half-hour. This connectivity ensures that users receive up-to-date information on potential water contamination, helping ensure public safety and understanding of water quality issues.