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

Qdos peristaltic pumps play a crucial role in a new monitoring system that is measuring the quality of river water in the United Kingdom, which provides real-time data that benefits both the environment and wild swimmers.

Working with the Environment Agency and Meteor Communications, the River Severn Partnership has installed two monitors on the River Teme in Ludlow and on the River Severn in Shrewsbury, both in Shropshire, England. In February 2025, funded by the River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region (RSPAWIR), the first monitor was installed on the River Teme in Ludlow. A second unit has now been commissioned on the River Severn in Shrewsbury. 

Each monitoring system features a Qdos 120 peristaltic pump, which operates every hour with the option to run every 15 minutes. This pump provides a sample of river water to an EXO multiparameter sonde platform and E. coli analyser. The data collected is fed to a mobile phone app, which allows river users to check bathing water quality in real time.

Representative samples of water are automatically pumped into the flowcell using the inbuilt Qdos pump, which provides a flow rate up to 2.6 L/min with a suction lift of up to 8 m. When analysis of the sample is complete the water sample is returned, leaving the flowcell empty. The systems combine a pumped multi parameter monitor with an online, E. coli microlab called a Fluidion. Readings of water quality parameters for dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, turbidity and ammonium are made at up to 15-minute intervals with measurements of E. coli made on demand. Additional sensors for rainfall and other scientific measurements will also be integrated over time. The data is telemetered wirelessly to a cloud-based data view and will also be made available on the RSPAWIR dashboard. 

Unlike traditional lab-based spot sampling—which can take days for results—the monitoring systems provide live data, empowering authorities and swimmers to respond quickly to changes in water quality. This also supports faster investigation into potential pollution sources. 

The Qdos pump was chosen over other pump types for its reliability, precision, and low maintenance—key advantages for remote, unstaffed sites. 

Jamie O'Sullivan-Roche, Sales Engineer at WMFTS, said: “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 pumphead 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.”

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