Continuous water quality monitoring (CWQM)

Monitors will be installed upstream and downstream of 25% of our wastewater discharge points by April 2030. To start with, these monitors are being installed at high-priority sites such as:

• sites with special designations (for example, a special area of conservation)
• sensitive habitats like chalk streams
• upstream and downstream of discharges close to designated bathing water sites
• rivers where the Water Framework Directive suspect our assets impact river quality. This is a legislative framework to help manage and protect water bodies across the UK and EU
• Urban Wastewater Treatment Regulations sensitive areas

The monitors measure a range of parameters that help us to understand ecological river health. This includes:

• temperature
• conductivity
• pH
• dissolved oxygen
• ammonium/ammonia
• turbidity

These help to build understanding of how water quality changes and what this is caused by.  

We're not required to monitor for E.coli as part of the Environment Act 2021.  

Continuous monitoring for bacteria is still a developing technology. We're keen to explore new approaches for this alongside our monitors. However, this will focus on designated bathing water sites.