River monitoring system with Qdos pumps supports environmental protection and public health

A new monitoring device featuring a Qdos peristaltic pump now provides wild swimmers with real-time data on the health of rivers.

Qdos peristaltic pumps play a key role in a new monitoring system that is being used to track the quality of river water in the UK, providing immediate real-time data with significant environmental and health benefits for wild swimmers.

Working with the Environment Agency and Meteor Communications, the River Severn Partnership has installed two monitoring units: one on the River Teme at Ludlow and another on the River Severn at Shrewsbury, both in Shropshire, England.

In February 2025 the first monitor was installed on the River Teme at Ludlow, funded by the River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region (RSPAWIR), and a second unit has now been commissioned on the River Severn at Shrewsbury.

Each monitoring system features a Qdos 120 peristaltic pump from WMFTS. The pump operates on an hourly basis, with the capability to increase to as little as every 15 minutes. This pump draws a sample of river water into an EXO multiparameter sonde platform and an E. coli analyser. Collected data are then sent to a mobile phone app, which allows users to check bathing water quality in real time.

Representative water samples are automatically pumped into the flow-cell using the in-built Qdos pump, which offers a flow rate of up to 2.6 L/min and a suction lift of up to 8 m. Once analysis of the sample is complete the water is returned, leaving the flow-cell empty. 

The systems combine a pumped multi-parameter monitor with an online E. coli micro-lab (Fluidion). Readings for water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, turbidity and ammonium are made at up to 15-minute intervals, with E. coli measurements conducted on demand. Additional sensors for rainfall and further scientific measurements will also be integrated over time.

Unlike traditional, laboratory-based spot samplings that can take several days for results, this new monitoring system provides authorities and swimmers with live data to help them act quickly when water quality is changing. This also allows quicker investigation of the sources of potential pollution.

Selection of the Qdos pump over other types has been predicated on reliability, precision, and low maintenance requirements—key advantages when deployed at remote, unstaffed sites.

Jamie O’Sullivan-Roche, Sales Engineer at WMFTS, commented:

“This reliable sampling technology will increase the knowledge of the bacteriological levels in rivers and the Qdos pump really is the heart of this device. They act as valves as well as pumps, which simplifies the sampling system making them more reliable and flexible.

“Submersible pumps would need to run continuously during the monitoring cycle, are power hungry and can introduce air bubbles into the sample. But Qdos pumps do not cause aeration in the pumphead or affect the sample in any way.

“The reliability of the Qdos pumps means routine maintenance is not required. The Qdos pump-head contains its own internal lubrication system that dramatically reduces tube wear and has demonstrated a tube life of over two years when used for intermittent environmental monitoring.

“With the Qdos pump there is the reliability of no lost samples – if a sample is lost, there would be no data.
“The Qdos pump’s low power consumption and ability to run on 12-volt supplies make it an ideal solution for remote solar or fuel cell powered operation.

“Scientifically the river water monitoring systems are helping to build a better understanding of the levels and types of bacteria in the watercourse, their potential sources, how they are affected by the environment and how they affect the ecology.”

Further information can be found at www.wmfts.com