People visiting Bournemouth and Boscombe beaches can now check seawater quality on their phones thanks to a relaunched digital tool.
The Sea Check webapp, developed by Wessex Water with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, uses artificial intelligence to provide near real-time information about water quality, weather and sea conditions.
It is believed Bournemouth and Boscombe are the only beaches in the country offering this type of AI-driven data to visitors. Sensors placed in buoys off both piers monitor markers that can indicate harmful bacteria, with results instantly displayed through the webapp. If the markers record levels linked to poor quality, an alert is triggered.
Additional information comes from a wave buoy and weather station at Boscombe. Data from these sources is transmitted over advanced connectivity networks installed along the seafront.
The system has been in training since April, with early results showing more than 82 per cent accuracy in detecting E.Coli and Intestinal Enterococci. Further checks will take place over winter to increase confidence before the next bathing season.
Ruth Barden, Wessex Water’s Environmental Solutions Director, said the webapp is designed to help visitors make quick decisions about entering the water. She added that while water quality at both beaches is rated excellent, it can still be affected by wildlife, beach litter, storm overflows and treated discharges.
The Sea Check webapp runs in a browser and can be accessed via the BCP Council website. Visitors can scan QR codes at the beaches to open it instantly, and it can also be saved to smartphones for convenience.
The project has been co-funded by Wessex Water and Government through the Better Boscombe Towns Fund.
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