Project Kingfisher Uses Drones for Water Quality Monitoring

Project Kingfisher, a pioneering initiative involving Northumbrian Water, Makutu, RS Hydro, and Skyports Drone Services, is utilizing drones to enhance water quality monitoring across the North East of England. Following successful initial test flights in Bishop Auckland, the project aims to demonstrate how drones can efficiently collect water samples from hard-to-reach areas, which previously required time-consuming manual collection. The all-electric drones, capable of traveling up to 20 km on a single charge, are equipped with sensors that provide real-time data to improve response times to water quality issues. Technical policy manager John Edwards emphasized the trial's potential to unlock significant benefits for the water industry, while Skyports' Cheska Rojas highlighted its importance for scaling drone services nationally. The partners are optimistic about the trials' outcomes, which could lead to broader adoption of drone technology for environmental monitoring in the UK.