We’re continuing our look at the Independent Water Commission’s report, published in July, breaking down what it means for the future of water quality monitoring (WQM).
This time we’re focusing on Recommendation 26, which makes a clear point: the future of WQM depends on better use of technology.
That means putting sensors, automation, drones, and AI at the heart of how we monitor and respond, rather than tacking them on as optional tools. It’s a call to move from occasional sampling to continuous, connected monitoring. These are the solutions that will enable water companies and regulators to respond in real time and make better informed decisions.
Rising risks from limited monitoring
For communities, the consequences of outdated WQM aren’t just about inconvenience, they can also affect public health. There are often reports of people experiencing illness after bathing in UK waters, and campaigners such as Surfers Against Sewage continue to highlight these risks.
At the same time, participation in open-water swimming and water sports is steadily increasing. People are enjoying rivers, lakes, and coastal areas, including at locations that aren’t formally designated as bathing sites. These are often the very areas where traditional monitoring is minimal or non-existent, meaning potential water quality issues might not be identified quickly.
Coastal waters are also vulnerable to pollution that can affect marine life and delicate habitats. Even protected areas can face pressures from run-off, human activity, and environmental change. Poor water quality can deter visitors and have knock-on effects for local economies that rely on clean, accessible coastlines.
The limits of current monitoring
During the 2024 bathing season, the Environment Agency collected approximately 7,420 samples across 450 designated bathing areas. Due to the constraints of manual sampling, seasonal monitoring windows, and the time it takes to process each sample, this averages fewer than 17 samples per site over five months.
While this data is invaluable, it also illustrates the limitations of traditional approaches. Short-term fluctuations in water quality can be missed entirely, and conditions between sample points remain largely unknown. These gaps make it challenging for regulators, industry, and the public to get a full understanding of coastal water conditions.
In other words, the system works for general oversight, but it can’t keep up with the dynamic nature of our waters.
This reality calls for more adaptive approaches and solutions that can provide continuous, near real-time data across wider areas. By using smarter tools, we can better anticipate risks, respond faster to potential issues, and make monitoring more efficient and effective.
Why innovation can’t wait
Recommendation 26 recognises this: smarter, more responsive monitoring is essential. It also aligns with Section 82 of the Environment Act, which encourages water companies to “explore direct and indirect continuous monitoring solutions in coastal and estuarine environments.”
Along with the increase in public interest in what’s in our waters, these directives make it clear: the era of reactive, static monitoring is coming to an end. The water quality monitoring sector needs to modernise.
Where the sector goes next
Technology alone won’t solve all the UK’s water challenges, but without it, the sector will continue to face scrutiny and rising pressure. The next step is for water companies and regulators to adopt smarter tools, collaborate with third parties and invest in future-focussed solutions.
At Kohtari, we’re developing automated, drone-powered water quality monitoring solutions (like Smart Skies, Healthy Waters in partnership with NWG (Northumbrian Water Group)) that provide reliable data when and where it’s needed most.
If you’re exploring ways to future-proof your WQM methods, we’d love to hear from you.
