New platform for prediction of algal blooms

To help water companies switch to predicting algal blooms, rather than just reacting to them, Kohtari has launched its new BloomIQ platform.

BloomIQ is designed to help water companies better manage the global increase in algal blooms that are now a growing operational and reputational risk.

Bringing together environmental, weather and water quality inputs, along with historical records and optional drone observations, BloomIQ turns complex signals into clear data stories, predicting when and where blooms are likely to occur.

Stuart Evans, Kohtari’s CTO, commented:

“Using AI and multiple data sources to provide early visibility of bloom risk, BloomIQ enables water companies to make that important shift from merely reacting to alglal blooms to actively predicting them. By enabling teams to act much sooner, they can build water quality resilience, improve public trust and reduce operational costs.”

He added: “BloomIQ is all about moving from reactive monitoring to evidence-led action. It brings fragmented data signals together, applies machine learning, and turns bloom risk into something usable. This is a powerful shift, from seeing a bloom when it arrives, to anticipating it before it breaks out. This is crucial, because earlier intelligence changes decisions at every level: tactical interventions in the short term, better operational planning across the reservoir and treatment process, and stronger strategic and capital decisions over time.”

Driven by rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and nutrient pollution, the global systemic threat of algal blooms – according to Kohtari - expose the limits of reactive monitoring and increase pressure on cost, compliance and public trust. In England, 84% of surface waters are affected by nutrient pollution, a key driver of algal blooms (Environment Agency, 2025).

The launch of its BloomIQ platform by Kohtari follows its recent appointment of Lord St John of Bletso as Strategic Adviser.