Case Studies
Monitoring nutrients using sensors – Teifi and Ceredigion coast
The Question - Could better rural land use drive big improvements in water quality? We measured highest Phosphate loads in tributaries without urban land use or sewage contributions.
Our head of R&D, Alex Beaton recently presented findings from a mutli-year Nutrient study in the Teifi Catchmen. Role out since 2024. Ammonia sensors were included to compliment existing Nitrate and Phosphate sensors in both marine and river sites in mid 2026.
Our data is complimented by citizen science measurements. The value of continuous measurement is clear. Our sensors captured significant periods of high concentration Phosphate discharge otherwise missed.
Periodic sampling underestimated the scale of the Phosphate problem in the river Ceri. Clearwater sensors observed significant period where SAC compliance target were in breach. Clearwater Sensors real time data was exported to West Wales Catchment Monitoring Portal which helped inform policy decisions and a dynamic response.
Identifying phosphate sources in the Hampshire Avon
Read about how a lab-on-chip phosphate sensor was deployed in the river Avon in the United Kingdom to help determine phosphate sources in the catchment. The sensor operated remotely for a 9‑week period, sampling every 30 minutes and communicating data in real time over the mobile phone network. Download the case study here.
