AI to enhance water quality monitoring at North Devon beach

Visitors to Combe Martin beach in Devon are invited to engage with their surroundings in a new way; by conversing with the beach through artificial intelligence. 

The Environment Agency is launching a trial of the Hello Lamp Post technology, which uses QR signage to prompt a text conversation with beachgoers about the site's conditions and water quality.

This means beachgoers will need to talk to their beaches via AI.

The initiative aims to foster a two-way dialogue, where visitors can share their observations alongside receiving real-time updates about bathing water quality.

Beachgoers will be asked questions about current events at the site, such as the number of people in the water, the visibility of the water, and any signs of pollution.

Hannah Amor of the Environment Agency’s citizen science team said: “We have used Hello Lamp Post technology before to raise awareness of flood risk at some sites. But this time we are focusing on bathing water.   

“Once you scan the QR code and begin working through the conversation prompts you will be able to tell us, via the AI platform, about any issues you can see or questions you have. This intelligence will help us identify problems and take appropriate action.” 

The trial, set to run for 12 weeks, builds on the Environment Agency's commitment to maintaining high water quality at Combe Martin.

Barbara Martin of Combe Martin Water Watch said: “We are happy that the Environment Agency is still taking a keen interest in the water quality of our amazing beach.  

 “We are proud of the ‘Good’ water quality rating for Combe Martin and the lamp post scheme will help residents and visitors be better informed and empowered to report any concerns directly and instantly.” 

As the Environment Agency wraps up its annual season of regular sampling from England’s 451 bathing waters, launching the Hello Lamp Post trial at Combe Martin ensures continued monitoring and community engagement throughout the off-season, contributing to a fuller understanding of the beach's environmental conditions.