Innovation funding for high-flying water quality project Published on: 23 May 2025 A world-leading project that’s set to see drones, robots and a mobile lab transform how rivers and seas are monitored has been named a winner in an innovation competition. The Smart Skies Healthy Waters project, led by Northumbrian Water in collaboration with partners Â鶹´«Ã½, data experts Makutu, drone experts Skyports Drone Services, and real-time sensor specialists Proteus Instruments, has won £6m in the fifth Water Breakthrough Challenge ran by the Ofwat Innovation Fund. In a world-first, automated drones and smart robotics, will be able to both sample and deliver near lab-grade analysis of coastal and inland water quality on the spot, and in near real-time. It’s a system which will combine the high-tech flying drones with a fully-kitted ‘lab-in-a-box’ – a shipping container-style laboratory that can be deployed wherever it’s needed along English and Welsh coastlines. Samples will be collected by the drones flying autonomously and dropped off at a docking station on the mobile lab. In a move never seen before, robotics and state-of-the-art lab equipment will then set to work carrying out near lab-grade tests, giving an almost instant view of the water’s health. Alongside more traditional manual water quality checks carried out by Northumbrian Water workers, this revolutionary approach will allow faster, more frequent checks of water quality, helping to protect the environment and keep the North East’s rivers and beaches clean and safe for visitors. Image credit: Skyports Drone Services Harnessing new technologies Dr Vassilis Glenis, Senior Lecturer at the School of Engineering, is the Â鶹´«Ã½ project lead. He said: “Smart Skies Healthy Waters builds upon Â鶹´«Ã½’s relationship with NWG that spans over 25 years. Here we will develop innovative physics-based and physics-informed AI models of coastal hydrodynamics and water quality to enable real-time optimisation of water sampling and analysis.” Richard Warneford, Head of Wastewater at Northumbrian Water, said: "This project provides a ground-breaking opportunity to harness new technologies to enable more frequent monitoring of our waterways. “It will be a world first and a step change for our sector, helping to ensure healthier waters for our customers, communities and our environment." The project will launch later this year, with trial flights and sampling set to begin in the region in through 2026 and 2027. The Smart Skies Healthy Waters project is one of three projects from Northumbrian Water which was awarded funding through the Ofwat Innovation Fund in the fifth Water Breakthrough Challenge. The Ofwat Innovation Fund is a key pillar in Ofwat’s mission to drive innovation that ensures the water sector is ready for the challenges of the future and results in better outcomes for customers and the environment. It is delivered by innovation prize experts Challenge Works (part of the Nesta group), in partnership with Arup and Isle Utilities. Adapted with thanks from Northumbrian Water. Share: Latest News Volunteers help turn Whitley Bay beach into maths experiment Members of the public joined mathematicians from Â鶹´«Ã½ to create what organisers believe is the largest aperiodic tiling ever attempted on Whitley Bay beach. published on: 15 June 2026 Student leader drives misogyny law change A Â鶹´«Ã½ student leader has helped change the law after creating a petition to make misogyny a hate crime, which gathered over 114,000 signatures, prompting action in Parliament. published on: 12 June 2026 Freemen of Â鶹´«Ã½ see construction of new Castle Leazes The Freemen of Â鶹´«Ã½ and other key stakeholders have become an indelible part of new student accommodation at Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s Castle Leazes. published on: 12 June 2026 Facts and figures
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