We’re proud to launch our collaborative E. coli monitoring project. In partnership with The UK River Summit & Festival, we’re installing a real-time water quality monitor—making live E. coli data publicly accessible in the UK for the first time.
The Proteus sonde has been installed at the confluence of the Jubilee River and the Thames, providing continuous, real-time readings of E. coli bacteria—an indicator of sewage contamination that can spike rapidly after rainfall or sewage overflows.
For the first time, anyone can scan a simple QR code on-site to instantly check the latest water quality data, answering the critical question: Is it safe to enter the river today? The QR code links to live E. coli readings.
This data will also be discussed in detail at the UK River Summit on July 8th.
E. coli, part of the faecal coliform (FC) group, is unique among these bacteria because it cannot originate naturally in the environment—it always indicates faecal contamination. As such, E. coli is a strong faecal indicator bacteria (FIB), providing a reliable signal of sewage pollution and potential health risks.
Traditionally, testing methods delay public awareness by hours or even days, during which contamination levels can change dramatically—especially after heavy rain. Our real-time system removes this risk by offering immediate, transparent access to the latest water quality information.
Claire Zambuni, founder of The River Summit, said this is the first time this has been done in the UK. There is a similar system operating somewhere in Chicago, but this is a UK-first.
“When my son was young, I would have loved to know if the river was safe before letting him paddle,” she said.
“For families planning a riverside picnic, rowers preparing for morning training, or dog walkers whose pets love river swims, this technology transforms a simple question – ‘Is it safe today?’ – into an instant, science-based answer.
“This gives every parent, every river user, the power to make informed decisions about their family’s safety.
“This is more than monitoring – it is about empowering communities with the information they need to protect themselves and their rivers.”
Hannah Gunter, project research manager at Proteus Instruments said: “We believe this kind of accessible, real-time monitoring should be the norm, not the exception.
“By making water quality data easy to access and understand, we want to help empower communities to take an active role in protecting these vital ecosystems for generations to come.”
STILL TIME TO BUY TICKETS!
UK River Summit 2025 on July 8th at Morden Hall on the River Wandle
Tickets are only available in advance and are £45 which includes a fresh, seasonal lunch by Abel and Cole, a beer from Lakedown Brewing Company, a gift from partners YETI and access to all the days events and workshops.
