A reliable solution for Section 82 compliance

Process instrumentation specialist Endress+Hauser has developed a Continuous River Monitoring Solution to support UK water companies in meeting Section 82 environmental monitoring requirements with confidence and consistency.

Designed specifically for the UK water sector, the solar-powered river monitoring system enables continuous measurement of key water quality parameters and reliable transmission of data, even in remote or off-grid locations where mains power is unavailable. This makes it particularly well suited to distributed river networks, storm overflow monitoring points and hard-to-access treatment sites.

Section 82 of the Environment Act 2021 requires water companies to continuously monitor water quality both upstream and downstream of storm overflows and wastewater treatment works. Endress+Hauser’s solution brings together proven field instrumentation, intelligent solar energy management and secure digital communications to deliver high-quality, real-time environmental data.

By providing clear visibility of river conditions and potential discharge events, the system supports early detection of pollution incidents, helps utilities demonstrate regulatory compliance and contributes to improved environmental protection across the UK’s waterways.

Continuous monitoring of critical water quality parameters

The river monitoring solution has been engineered for continuous, high accuracy measurement of essential water quality indicators. These include pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, ammonia and conductivity, all of which are critical for assessing river health and identifying contamination events.

Developing a solar-powered platform was a fundamental requirement for widespread deployment, particularly in rural and remote environments. As explained by Endress+Hauser UK’s Water and Wastewater Industry Manager Ipek Temizel:

“Many monitoring locations are remote and lack power or communication infrastructure, so we needed to create a system that works reliably under those conditions. Internal tests confirmed that the system is robust enough to maintain accuracy in challenging river environments.”

The Continuous River Monitoring Solution is currently undergoing further validation through a national trial led by the Water Research Centre (WRC), reinforcing its suitability for large-scale deployment across the UK water industry.

Reliable data transmission and responsive reporting

A key feature of the system is its ability to deliver timely and actionable data. The solar power supply is supported by integrated battery storage, ensuring year-round operation regardless of seasonal variations in sunlight.

A secure communication gateway transmits monitoring data directly to water company systems. Under normal operating conditions, data is reported on an hourly basis. However, during abnormal or high-risk events, the system automatically increases reporting frequency to every 15 minutes.

This adaptive reporting capability enables rapid identification of pollution incidents and discharge events, aligning with OFWAT’s Continuous Water Quality Monitoring Programme Interim Technical Standard and supporting proactive environmental management strategies.

Robust design for long-term field performance

Unlike traditional pumped sampling systems, Endress+Hauser’s solution uses a direct immersion floating sensor assembly. This allows sensors to measure water quality directly within the river, removing the need for pumped sampling infrastructure.

This approach offers several operational advantages. It eliminates the risk of pump blockages caused by debris or sediment, reduces routine maintenance requirements and avoids overheating issues often associated with enclosed pump systems during warmer months.

To maintain long-term measurement stability, the system incorporates an integrated compressed air cleaning mechanism that periodically removes fouling and build-up from sensor surfaces. This ensures consistent performance even in challenging river conditions.

The monitoring station itself is housed within a durable, tamper-resistant enclosure designed to withstand harsh outdoor environments while minimising the risk of vandalism. This robust design supports reliable long-term deployment in both urban and rural locations.

Tailored service and UK-wide support

In addition to the hardware and digital infrastructure, Endress+Hauser provides comprehensive service support through its UK-wide network of more than 40 service engineers.

Water companies can benefit from tailored service programmes that include preventative maintenance, system inspections and calibration services carried out in accordance with ISO 17025 standards. This ensures ongoing measurement accuracy, regulatory compliance and optimal system performance over the lifecycle of the installation.

Supporting the future of UK water quality monitoring

With increasing regulatory pressure, public scrutiny and environmental responsibility placed on water companies, continuous river monitoring has become a critical component of modern water management strategies.

Endress+Hauser’s Continuous River Monitoring Solution offers a scalable, reliable and cost-effective approach to meeting Section 82 requirements while enhancing environmental transparency and operational responsiveness.

By combining solar-powered autonomy, robust instrumentation and intelligent data handling, the solution is well positioned to support the UK water industry in delivering improved river health and long-term environmental sustainability.

“We are very encouraged by the findings from our internal testing programme and preliminary results from external trials,” says Ipek Temizel. “This solution will offer real benefit to water companies seeking Section 82 compliance.”

Built for Section 82. Real-time insight. Reliable compliance. Smarter river protection.