Continuous monitors installed to protect world-famous rivers

Meteor Communications has successfully installed a network of 21 ESNET (Environmental Sensor Network) systems to continuously monitor the water quality of the Test and Itchen rivers in compliance with Southern Water's abstraction license for the Testwood water supply works near Southampton, in southern England.

The Test and Itchen rivers are two of the world's most famous chalk streams known for their crystal-clear water and trout fishing. The establishment of this water monitoring system is critical to the ecology of these rivers and the public water needs of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Under the terms of the contract, Meteor Communications is responsible for the delivery of real-time and accurate data to Southern Water and external stakeholders. Meteor's MD, Matt Dibbs, explained that their Water Quality as a Service (WQaaS) model is the differentiator to other systems.

ESNET systems measure temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, ammonium, and pH using EXO multiparameter sondes. Pressure transducers are employed for the measurement of water level. The equipment is located in visually sensitive and publicly accessible spaces, with a variety of discrete mounting options developed to ensure robust data delivery with appropriate equipment protection.

The MeteorCloud® platform provides secure data visualization, analysis, and alarms to Southern Water and the Environment Agency. The system issues an alert when five consecutive water quality measurements breach the alarm condition.

Meteor Communications' staff remotely checks the network every day, allowing for corrective measures to be implemented quickly to protect river water quality and remain in compliance with the abstraction license.

According to Tim Taylor, Water Resources Compliance Advisor at Southern Water, the ESNET systems' performance has been exceptional, with data available via the MeteorCloud® web portal. Taylor explained that "We have experienced virtually no downtime with this network, so we are generating excellent continuous datasets."

The installation of this water monitoring system will ensure the protection of the Test and Itchen rivers' water quality, allowing for timely actions to be taken in case of breaches of the alarm conditions.