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Final effluent monitor at Scottish Water

Meteor’s final effluent monitors enable substantial efficiencies for Scottish Water

July 29, 2025/in News/by meteor

Tim Wilson explains how, in addition to providing visibility of water quality, ESNET final effluent monitors are also delivering substantial benefits for Scottish Water through enhanced process control. For example, ESNET units are dramatically reducing the use of dosing chemicals by introducing automatic monitoring and control.

Background

Typically, the mains-powered water quality analysers that are used for process monitoring at wastewater treatment works (WwTW) deliver accurate, high-quality data, but they have a significant footprint and are costly to install and operate. As a consequence, they only tend to be deployed at larger sites. However, in recent years it has become evident that final effluent can also be monitored with the same technologies that are used to monitor rivers. These ESNET systems are particularly advantageous for final effluent monitoring for a number of reasons. A single ESNET system, for example, is able to monitor multiple parameters simultaneously, providing almost real-time data from even the most remote sites. Importantly, in comparison with traditional final effluent monitors, ESNETs are quick, easy and low-cost to install and operate. However, as this article will explain, the connectivity of the ESNET units can be exploited to dramatically enhance process control.

ESNET deployments at Scottish Water

In 2021, Scottish Water started to install ESNET remote water quality monitors at some of its urban WwTWs. “The ESNET systems have dramatically improved our visibility of final effluent water quality data, without having to implement significant capital works,” explains Jamie Hesketh, Process Science Leader at Scottish Water. “Since 2021, we have installed 67 of the kiosk-based ESNET systems as final effluent monitors, and they have been so successful that we now plan to install around 113 more systems over the next few years.”

The kiosk-based systems have been installed at urban WwTW sites with a population equivalent of 2000 or above, but this may be expanded to PE>1000 as the rollout takes place. An automatic sampler was previously deployed at most of these sites, collecting final effluent samples that are stored and collected for subsequent analysis in a laboratory. The advantage of this method is that the samples can be tested for a wide variety of parameters, but the major disadvantage is the delay incurred by this procedure, which prevents automation and severely limits opportunities for process control. Consequently, processes such as dosing tend to operate 24/7 rather than on an ‘as required’ basis.

What is an ESNET?

Developed and manufactured by Meteor Communications, ESNET systems are complete, stand-alone, multi-parameter remote water quality monitors. Originally designed for installation at sites with limited or no services, there are now hundreds of ESNET stations operating all over the UK, delivering almost real-time data from a wide range of diverse locations.

ESNETs are available in two formats – kiosk and portable. The kiosks are designed for permanent installation and the portable units are used for short-term deployment. Scottish Water, for example, have 7 portable ESNETS that are used primarily for process investigations.

Each of the Scottish Water ESNETs has a multiparameter water quality sonde fitted with sensors for measuring dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, conductivity, turbidity and ammonium. Each sonde is located within an integrated flow chamber, through which sampled water is pumped. Water quality data is automatically transferred to the MeteorCloud® platform, which provides secure data visualisation, analysis and alarms.

One of the most important features of ESNETs is the ease with which they can be installed, usually requiring no capital works or pre-existing communications infrastructure. They are also designed to run with a very low power requirement, and are able to operate from a solar charged battery – even in Scotland.

Meteor Communications initially trained Scottish Water staff on how to install, service and calibrate ESNET systems, and this team of trained individuals now manages the network themselves. Their work involves routine visits to each site every 4-6 weeks to clean the pump and sample line, and to swap in a pre-calibrated sonde. Jamie’s team also log in to MeteorCloud every morning to check for any data anomalies that might mean swapping a sonde before its allotted date.

Enabling process efficiency

The wastewater process team at Scottish Water are able to log in to the MeteorCloud platform to view both historical and live water quality data, and to set up text alarms and email alerts to inform wastewater operations.

One of the most remarkable benefits to be gained from the ESNET systems is their ability to control dosing units. “We have started to hardwire some of the ESNETs to our dosing units, so that set points for, say, turbidity, can trigger coagulant dosing with PAC,” Jamie Hesketh explains. “In this example, the ESNET measures final effluent turbidity and transmits the data to MeteorCloud, and if the value is too high, MeteorCloud sends an instruction to the dosing unit via the ESNET. Similarly, when turbidity is low, dosing is unnecessary and therefore halted.”

The same mechanism is applied for other dosing mechanisms. For example, pH measurements are used to control the dosing of caustic soda (sodium hydroxide). It has been suggested that final effluent monitoring might be too late for dosing control, but in Jamie’s experience the key is the judicious selection of the set-point.

By automating dosing control, Scottish Water is negating the need for the installation and maintenance of additional process management hardware, all of which improves the sustainability of operations.

Looking forward

In addition to the water quality sonde, it is also possible to connect other sensors to ESNETs. For example, some users also connect water level or meteorological sensors. In addition, a multitude of different data feeds can be connected to ESNET systems, including analogue, digital and serial protocols. This lowers data infrastructure costs and reduces the need for manual checks.

Scottish Water has exploited the ESNET’s connectivity by attaching traditional final effluent ammonia monitors at some locations. “This has enabled us to compare the data from ESNET sondes with that from their (much more expensive) predecessors,” Jamie says. “The results have been very pleasantly surprising, because we have found that the data from the two different instruments trend in similar ways. However, there is still a justification for deploying a dedicated ammonia analyser where levels are particularly low.”

The program of ESNET installations is progressing well, delivering real-time multiparameter final effluent water quality data to enable prompt process management. Initial work to connect dosing units to the ESNETS has shown enormous potential to reduce the volume and cost of dosing chemicals, so Scottish Water plans to expand this capability across the whole country, with concurrent environmental and cost benefits.

The ESNET-based automatic dosing control mechanisms have only recently commenced operation, so it is probably too soon to draw any firm conclusions. Nevertheless, early indications are showing savings in chemical costs of around 20%. The Scottish Water wastewater process team is therefore optimistic about potential future improvements.

Final Effluent Water Quality Monitoring Contract

Thames Water extends water quality monitoring contract

March 10, 2025/in News/by meteor

Meteor Communications, the industry leading provider of remote environmental monitoring technology, is delighted to announce that Thames Water Utilities Ltd has extended the term of its Framework Agreement for the supply of water quality monitoring equipment and services for Final Effluent Monitoring.

The Framework extension will run until September 2027, and covers the provision of ESNET monitoring systems with associated calibration, maintenance and data services via the MeteorCloud® platform.

Commenting on the contract extension, Meteor’s MD Matt Dibbs said: “These systems are primarily used to monitor final effluent water quality at wastewater treatment plants. ESNET provides instant, real time, high resolution Final Effluent Water Quality data to enable Thames Water to gain enhanced visibility of their works’ operations, and effectively manage treatment processes.”

ESNET systems can be deployed in minutes and are carbon neutral in operation, with the majority solar powered. As such they represent an extremely cost-effective approach to providing high quality, real time water quality data from any location.

In response to demand from the water industry, regulators and environmental consultants, Meteor Communications is investing heavily in the resources that deliver remote water quality data. Matt says: “These commitments from Thames Water and others, reflect the confidence that customers have in our ability to deliver real-time data to enhance process efficiency and environmental protection.”

New Non-Executive Director at Meteor Communications targets continued expansion

March 4, 2025/in News/by meteor

Following successive years of vigorous growth, Meteor Communications, the specialist developer of remote environmental monitoring equipment and services, has appointed Thierry Bouzac as Non-Executive Director.

“This is an important step in the strategic development of our company,” explains Matt Dibbs, Managing Director of Meteor Communications. “Over the past few years, we have seen consistent, sustainable growth. We have been keenly focused on fulfilling demand for our remote cameras, water quality monitoring systems and AI driven data analysis. However, our future plans are equally ambitious, so Thierry will use his experience and expertise to help us organise and structure our business accordingly.”

Thierry Bouzac has Board level experience across a wide range of sectors including UK Water Utilities, encompassing both mature and early-stage, rapid-growth businesses. “I am thrilled to be joining Meteor at this critical moment in their development,” Thierry says. “The markets for Meteor’s monitoring solutions are driven by hugely important and topical issues such as climate change, severe weather and water pollution. Importantly, Meteor Communications is already acknowledged as a UK market leader and innovator in its target sectors, but the company has huge potential for future growth – in existing markets, adjacent markets in the infrastructure sector such as railways, and internationally.”

This appointment reflects Meteor’s commitment to enhance the business, ready for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Thierry says: “My role is to facilitate the journey, defining where we want to be in, say, five years’ time, and then progressively configure the business to achieve that goal.”

Winner - ‘Pollution Mitigation Initiative of the Year’ category at the Water Industry Awards 2024

Water quality monitoring project wins Water Industry Award

July 18, 2024/in News/by meteor

APEM Group has been announced as the winner of the ‘Pollution Mitigation Initiative of the Year’ category at the Water Industry Awards, in recognition of the company’s continuous water quality monitoring project for United Utilities.

Working in partnership with Meteor Communications, APEM Group managed a water quality monitoring project on the River Kent near Kendal in the Lake District. The project was implemented to help ensure the protection of water quality while treated water was discharged into the river through a temporary outfall pipe at a new location, following the damage of the original outfall by storm Desmond in 2015.

Hannah Austin, Divisional Director – Water Science, APEM Group, said: “I am immensely proud of the team that brought this amazing project to life. It’s great to see the tangible benefits to our rivers that monitoring data and evidence-led decision making bring. For APEM Group and our partners at Meteor Communications to be nationally recognised for this innovative work is a remarkable achievement.”

The WIA judges felt that APEM Group’s entry “stood out as both very relevant and innovative, while also presenting a positive message about pollution mitigation.” They described it as “a scalable solution to enhance pollution control and meet future demands, presenting significant benefits.”

A key element of the project was the deployment of Meteor ESNET water quality monitoring stations, installed and maintained by Meteor Communications to provide real-time water quality data both upstream and downstream of the temporary outfall. Meteor’s Managing Director Matt Dibbs, who attended the awards ceremony, said: “We were delighted that the scalability of our water monitoring quality monitoring solutions has been recognised as these systems meet the river monitoring requirements of the Environment Act’s Section 82. This project therefore represents a blueprint for the large number of monitoring systems that water companies will establish in the upcoming AMP period.”

Monitoring a storm overflow and EDM with a remote camera

Growing demand for storm overflow cameras

March 18, 2024/in News/by meteor

Water and sewerage companies are installing Meteor MRC remote cameras at an increasing number of wastewater discharge and storm overflow locations; primarily to check the veracity of event duration monitors (EDMs), but also to avoid unnecessary site visits, save costs, lower the carbon footprint of operations, and help identify the sources of pollution.

The UK government has instructed all water and sewerage companies (WaSCs) operating in England, to install monitors on every storm overflow by the end of 2023. These EDMs must provide information on the frequency and duration of storm overflow spills.

The Environment Agency’s EDM data for 2022 (1) showed that the ten WaSCs in England have 14,580 storm overflows, and that 91% of these were fitted with EDMs. On average, each overflow spilled 23 times for an average of 5.8 hours. “However, it is common knowledge that EDM’s can occasionally falsely indicate that a spill has taken place,” explains Matt Dibbs, MD at Meteor Communications. “EDM’s generally employ water level sensors that are either sited within the water or above it, and technically are capable of taking accurate measurements. The problem in the field, however, is that these measurements can be hampered by a wide variety of factors including blockages, overgrown vegetation, cobwebs and insects.

“Where frequent spills are being reported, or when a WaSC suspects that an EDM is reporting falsely, a site visit may be required, so we are experiencing a heavy demand for rugged, low-cost cameras that are able to deliver reliable high-quality images of discharges to verify the EDM data without, necessarily, having to make a site visit.”

Meteor’s MRC cameras have been designed to operate unattended in remote locations where normal power and communications may not be available. The MRC cameras require just a small battery and a solar panel for year-round operation, and there are currently around 2,500 MRC cameras in use around the UK.

Matt says: “One of the most popular features of the MRC cameras for discharge points, is the facility to attach a robust, reliable water level sensor so that the cameras can be automatically prompted to collect images when water levels rise.

“With the benefit of MRC remote cameras, WaSCs have ‘eyes in the field’ to improve the reliability of EDM data and avoid the over-reporting of spills, whilst reducing the number of site visits – saving time, and lowering both costs and carbon footprint.”

ENDS Words: 398

Reference:

Environment Agency EDM data 2022 – https://www.gov.uk/government/news/environment-agency-publishes-event-duration-monitoring-data-for-2022

Kendal WwTW temporary outfall to River Kent

River Kent project near Kendal – a blueprint for Environment Act water quality monitoring?

March 15, 2024/in News/by meteor

A continuous water quality monitoring project has recently been completed on the River Kent near Kendal, in the UK’s Lake District. The monitoring was implemented for United Utilities by the environmental consultancy APEM, with Meteor Communications responsible for instrumentation installation and calibration, as well as real-time web-based data provision, event visualisation and reporting.

“Monitoring was required to help protect water quality during the operation of a temporary outfall pipe,” explains Joe Allaby, APEM’s Principal Aquatic Scientist. “The monitoring programme was a complete success, and I believe that water companies will be interested in this project because it represents a blueprint for the requirements of Section 82 of the Environment Act 2021.

“Multiparameter water quality monitors were installed upstream and downstream of a temporary discharge from United Utilities’ wastewater treatment works in Kendal to ensure that it did not negatively impact the water quality of the River Kent.

“Each monitor measured the key water quality parameters including dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, conductivity, turbidity and ammonium. In this project, we were also required to measure un-ionised ammonia, because of its potential effects on sensitive migratory fish species such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and sea trout (Salmo trutta).”

Passing through the Lake District National Park, the River Kent flows for around 20 miles into Morecambe Bay. The River Kent is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). In the section of the river addressed by this project, two protected species were monitored: bullhead (Cottus gobio) and white clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes).

Kendal WwTW outfall

As the main treatment facility for the Kendal area, the WwTW services a large residential and tourist population equivalent of around 90,000, discharging to the River Kent. Prior to December 2015, the effluent outfall pipe from the plant passed under the river adjacent to the WwTW and discharged approximately 1.3 km downstream, but this pipe was destroyed by the flooding that followed Storm Desmond in 2015. United Utilities therefore constructed a temporary outfall structure to maintain the ongoing operation of the works.

The temporary outfall was located much closer to the works, in an impounded reach upstream of a weir, where flow rates were lower. Consequently, the Environment Agency required as a condition of the permit for the temporary outfall, that United Utilities carry out upstream and downstream continuous water quality monitoring.

The environmental consultancy APEM was tasked with the monitoring and protection of the River Kent at Kendal whilst the temporary discharge was in operation. “At first, this mainly involved ecological investigations to check the health of the river,” explains APEM Principal Aquatic Scientist Joe Allaby. “However, in 2022, continuous multiparameter water quality monitoring systems were installed to provide access to continuous data 24/7. This included an upstream monitor, and two downstream monitors; one in slack water and the other in turbulent water, to give us a complete picture of any potential water quality effects from the temporary discharge.”

‘Water quality as a service’

APEM’s expertise was employed in the identification of suitable monitoring sites, and Meteor Communications was contracted to install and maintain the monitoring stations under a ‘water quality as a service’ (WQaaS) contract. Joe says: “It would have been possible to purchase the monitoring equipment, but WQaaS is ideal for temporary contracts, because Meteor is then responsible for maintaining the equipment.”

Under a WQaaS contract, Meteor Communications installs the monitors and then visits the site every 4 to 6 weeks to swap in pre-calibrated sondes. Meteor’s monitoring stations, known as ESNETs (environmental sensor networks), are fully equipped with solar panels and remote communications technology, so that collected data can be automatically transferred to the MeteorCloud® platform, which provides secure data visualisation, analysis and alarms.

ESNET systems are available in kiosk or portable formats, and sondes can be located in-river or within flow-through chambers measuring water which is pumped from the river. The Kendal sondes were located in the river, fixed securely to local infrastructure. Continuous water quality monitoring data are stored in the sondes and transferred every 30 minutes to the MeteorCloud web portal, providing APEM, United Utilities and the Environment Agency with real-time access to water quality data.

Continuous water quality monitoring enables the detection of water quality incidents as well as the detection of trends. “In the past, our consultants have used portable instruments, but we are increasingly being asked for continuous data,” explains APEM’s Jack Hambridge. “So, our partnership with Meteor Communications has worked very well, delivering accurate, reliable data for us and our clients.

“In addition to the quality of the instruments, what really sets Meteor apart is their calibration service. They have invested in a bespoke calibration laboratory and a team of field engineers, capable of servicing large numbers of sondes so that data are accurate and the ESNET systems are maintained in optimal condition.”

Proactive maintenance

Operating from a dedicated calibration laboratory, a team of Meteor’s engineers maintain water quality monitors all over the UK.

Meteor Communications was responsible for maintaining the condition of the monitoring equipment, and checking the validity of the data to ensure a continuous dataset was provided for almost 2 years. In addition, APEM checked the readings three times per day, every day, as part of its proactive maintenance service, which, if measurements exceed pre-set values, could also include mitigation measures such as aeration and fish rescue.

With the benefit of Meteor’s monitoring systems, APEM also provided United Utilities with weekly water quality reports, and incident notices with visual checks when any of the pre-set measurement values were breached. “This was important for all stakeholders,” explains Joe Allaby. “Continuous monitoring with real-time access to data meant that the water utility, the regulator and local residents could all rest assured that river water quality was being maintained, and that a rapid response would be available if an alert was issued.”

Meteor Communications MD Matt Dibbs says: “This project exemplifies everything that a water utility would need to comply with Section 82 of the Environment Act, and with over 700 ESNET systems already installed across the UK, we have the scale of operations to help utilities comply with their obligations.

“In applications such as this, it is great to see consultants using their expertise to leverage the value of continuous water quality data. I should mention however, that our water quality monitors are being used in many different water quality monitoring applications beyond storm overflows. For example, ESNETs are also used for final effluent monitoring and catchment surveys, as well as short-term investigations and research projects.”

Results

With almost two years of continuous monitoring upstream and downstream of the temporary discharge at Kendal, the data demonstrated that there were no significant detrimental effects on water quality. “We did detect occasional breaches of the values that we set as early warning levels for response,” explains Joe Allaby. “However, these were usually found to be due to sediment, or due to a dissolved oxygen dip during warm periods in the summer.

“For us, the continuous dataset was essential because it gave us peace of mind when things were going well, and provided an early alert when conditions changed, and a rapid response was necessary.”

Remote camera installation monitoring screen outfall

Integrating AI with remote cameras to optimise flood network efficiency

November 7, 2023/in News/by meteor

The management of flood defence networks is being revolutionised through a combination of MRC remote cameras and AI (Artificial Intelligence) systems developed by Meteor Communications. This new advanced technology is already providing Water Utilities, UK Government Agencies and Local Authorities with early warning of issues within their networks, enabling targeted, appropriate responses to events as they emerge.

With 1000’s of cameras in service monitoring a wide variety of network assets such as trash screens, CSO’s, overspill channels and EDM monitors, Meteor already has operational networks of cameras providing robust, reliable, real-time image feeds from remote assets. Stakeholders such as control rooms, operators and flood defence teams utilise the MeteorCloud® secure web portal to view images, remotely request new images and receive alerts for potential issues.

Over the past 3 years Meteor has been leveraging the MRC camera and Meteor Data Cloud capabilities to develop Deep Learning Neural Network technologies to identify network issues, caused by issues such as blockages, high water levels or other unforeseen factors. Taking the example of trash screens, Meteor AI has been site tested in all seasons, and found to be over 94% effective at identifying potential screen blockages and issuing automated alerts. This enhanced capability will allow users such as the Environment Agency to target resources to sites with potential issues at an early stage, and thereby enable operational efficiencies. The severity of flood events will also be reduced because users will be able to proactively respond to issues more quickly, rather than to flood events caused by blockages in drain networks.

During storm Ciarán in November 2023, the Meteor Data Centre (MDC) processed over 500,000 real-time images over a 3-day period with peak MeteorCloud user sessions of nearly 5x usual levels. This presented an excellent real life test of the type of events for which the MDC was designed, and proved the robust, scalable nature of the platform.

With the effects of climate change and more adverse weather conditions Meteor Communications is developing the technologies required to effectively monitor and react to situations as they arise. This enables efficient use of resources and saves carbon through a reduction of unnecessary site visits.

Meteor’s continuous water quality monitors help protect world-famous rivers

February 27, 2023/in News/by meteor

Renowned for crystal clear water and trout fishing, the rivers Test and Itchen are two of the world’s most famous chalk streams. The ecology of these rivers is therefore extremely important, and a network of twenty-one continuous water monitoring stations has recently been established for Southern Water, in compliance with its abstraction licence for the Testwood water supply works near Southampton. The Test and Itchen catchments supply much of Hampshire’s public water needs, as well as a significant proportion of the Isle of Wight’s requirements. Both rivers drain into Southampton Water, and in turn, into the Solent.

Meteor Communications was contracted to install and maintain a network of its ESNET (Environmental Sensor network) systems in early 2021. “We have been delighted with the performance of the ESNET systems,” says Tim Taylor, Water Resources Compliance Advisor at Southern Water. “They were installed and became operational extremely quickly, measuring the key parameters, with data from 30-minute readings immediately available via the MeteorCloud® web portal. We have experienced virtually no down-time with this network, so we are generating excellent continuous datasets.”

Under the terms of the water monitoring contract, Meteor Communications have complete responsibility to deliver accurate, real time data to key stakeholders within Southern Water and externally. This includes site selection, installation and ongoing maintenance. Scheduled site visits and laboratory calibrations ensure that data is robust and reliable, with proactive and reactive site visits. “The Meteor Water Quality as a Service (WQaaS) model is the differentiator to other systems,” explains Meteor’s MD, Matt Dibbs. “By establishing a dedicated Water Quality Services Hub, we can calibrate sondes in laboratory conditions which ensures the accuracy and reliability of the data, and minimises time spent on site.”

Each of the 21 ESNET systems measures 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 frequently located in visually sensitive and publicly accessible spaces, so a variety of discrete mounting options have been developed to ensure robust data delivery with appropriate equipment protection.

Southern Water’s network of monitors is comprised of both portable and kiosk-based ESNETs, with version selection dictated by site conditions and access. No pre-existing power or communications capability is necessary for either version, with solar panels providing sufficient charge for the units’ internal batteries.

The MeteorCloud® platform provides secure data visualisation, analysis and alarms to Southern Water, and also provides the Environment Agency with real-time access to the data, with agreed alarms for both water quality and water level limits. For example, whilst operating under a drought permit, the system will issue an alert when five consecutive water quality measurements on any sonde breach the alarm condition. Once an alarm has been triggered, Southern Water is able to implement remedial measures such as river aeration. However, where the alarm is a result of low water, abstraction would be stopped.

As part of its agreement with Southern Water, Meteor Communications’ staff check the network remotely every day. “This is a major benefit,” explains Tim Taylor. “By constantly checking the performance of the network, Meteor is able to implement corrective measures very quickly. Consequently, we are able to take timely action to protect river water quality and remain in compliance with our abstraction licence.”

Summarising, Matt Dibbs says: “There are a number of key factors underpinning the successful implementation of a water monitoring network such as this. First, the equipment has to be robust, reliable and able to operate in remote locations on solar power. Second, communications and data management have to be seamless and easy to use. Third, the support infrastructure needs to be in place to check the system daily; to service and calibrate spare sondes; and to visit all sites regularly for sonde swaps.

“All of these factors mean that we have had to make significant investment in staff and facilities. However, we now have over 700 ESNET systems operating all over the UK, so we have the experience and resources to ensure that they deliver valuable insights into the health of our rivers.”

Following the Environmental Act that came into law in November 2021, Meteor’s monitoring methods continue to develop as we build on our expertise working with the Environment Agency.

ESNET water quality monitor installed in the Serpentine, Hyde Park, London

July 22, 2022/in News/by meteor

Looking to find ways to keep improving water quality, the managers of the Royal Parks have installed a continuous water quality monitor; an ESNET (Environmental Sensor NETwork) system from the company Meteor Communications.

The Serpentine is monitored by the Environment Agency which collects samples for bacteriological analysis every week between May and September. However, the ESNET continuous water quality monitor was installed to improve understanding of the factors affecting water quality.

Covering an area of around 16 hectares, the Serpentine was created in 1730 by the wife of George 2nd, Queen Caroline. Originally fed by the River Westbourne and Tyburn Brook in the 1730s, the lake’s water was later pumped from the River Thames. Today, water is pumped from two boreholes from within Hyde Park.

The water quality monitoring system was installed in February 2022, measuring key parameters including Blue/ Green Algae, Chlorophyll, Temperature, Conductivity, pH, Turbidity and Dissolved Oxygen. Measurements are taken continuously in real-time with updates every 30 minutes to the MeteorCloud™ web portal, with instant alerts for any issues that may influence bathing water quality. “The ESNET system will provide essential data for the future management of the lake,” explains the Royal Parks’ Dr Pawel Szynkarczuk. “We need this empirical data to better understand short- and long-term trends, as well as the factors affecting water quality. For example, a key advantage of a continuous time-series dataset is the ability to correlate water quality incidents with potential impact factors such as ambient temperature and heavy rainfall.

“The Environment Agency’s laboratory tests are more focused on bathing safety, whereas the wider variety of parameters monitored by ESNET will provide greater insights into the factors affecting water quality generally. The ESNET system will therefore allow us to make informed decisions, whilst also enabling us to measure the impact of any improvement measures.”

Water quality improvement measures currently include litter/debris removal as well as aeration at 24 points around the lake. However, the large population of wildfowl in Hyde Park is the likely cause of any water pollution; with raised nutrient levels during summer being an area that is carefully monitored. The water quality challenges presented by the wildfowl are compounded by Park visitors feeding the ducks and geese by throwing food into the water. Raised nutrient levels during summer are therefore carefully monitored, and an initiative is underway to try to alter visitor behaviour. “We have a campaign entitled ‘Help Nature Thrive’, which is designed to discourage overfeeding – it’s not good for the birds and it certainly isn’t good for water quality,” explains Assistant Hyde Park Manager, Ian Nightingale. “In the past, we have had to address raised nutrient levels on two occasions by dosing the water with a modified bentonite clay which binds with free reactive phosphorus. While this method appears to be effective, it is expensive, so the provision of continuous monitoring will enable us to fully evaluate the cost/benefits of any future water quality improvement measures.”

The ESNET system has been installed at the Environment Agency’s water sampling point, adjacent to the lake’s bathing area, and the water quality sensors are built into a compact water quality sonde which is permanently located beneath the water surface. In order to maintain the highest levels of accuracy, the sonde is routinely swapped out with a pre-calibrated sonde by Meteor Communications.

The entire system runs on very low levels of power, with a small solar panel meeting the power requirement of the entire ESNET system. “This is very important,” explains Meteor MD Matt Dibbs. “These systems are usually installed in remote locations for customers such as the Environment Agency and utility companies; frequently these sites have no pre-existing power or communications capability.

“We were recently consulted by the Environment Audit Committee and provided them with a live demonstration; explaining how ESNET systems are monitoring UK rivers and providing alerts when potential pollution incidents could threaten bathing water quality. We hope that the Serpentine ESNET system will deliver similar benefits; helping the Park managers to improve the lake’s water quality.”

Meteor wins Hydrometry Framework contract with Coal Authority

June 20, 2022/in News/by meteor

As a manufacturer of remote environmental monitoring systems, Meteor Communications has been awarded a framework contract by the Coal Authority to supply a range of hydrometric services, dataloggers and sensors to enable the continuous monitoring of mine water.

Meteor Communications successfully bid for Lot 3 of the Hydrometry Framework, which is comprised of 7 lots and will run for four years with an estimated total budget of £400,000.

“Meteor are delighted to have been selected by the Coal Authority for this framework contract,” explains Meteor’s MD Matt Dibbs. “Our systems and services are utilised across the UK by the Environment Agency, Water Utilities and Consultants and it’s great to be able to bring our expertise to the Coal Authority.”

The Coal Authority seeks to enhance the future prospects for people and the environment in mining areas, and to contribute to the delivery of the UK Government’s industrial strategy and the environmental, social and economic priorities of the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments. This includes managing the effects of past coal mining and dealing with mine water pollution and other mining legacy issues.