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UK rivers get AI check for swimmers
2 Feb
Summary
- AI sensors will provide real-time river health data by 2030.
- 86% of England's river water bodies are below good ecological status.
- Vodafone Business partnered to build the monitoring infrastructure.
A new AI-powered network of sensors will soon provide real-time insights into the health of UK rivers and waterways, enabling swimmers to make informed decisions before taking a plunge. By 2030, thousands of these sensors are expected to span the nation, translating collected data into accessible visitor information regarding safety for activities like swimming.
This development addresses a critical environmental concern, as an Environment Agency report revealed that 86% of river water bodies in England fail to meet 'good' ecological status. UK-based environmental tech firm Additive Catchments is leading this project, backed by a significant 10-year agreement with Vodafone Business to construct the necessary infrastructure for live water quality monitoring.
The initiative will create online public dashboards displaying instant condition checks for various UK water stretches. This near real-time monitoring can pinpoint the causes of sudden pollution events, such as storms, sewage overflows, or agricultural runoff. Statistics indicate a concerning frequency of sewage spills, impacting streams, lakes, and coasts.
