Smartphone sensors: The future of urban water quality monitoring
Urban stormwater runoff is an often overlooked source of pollution. Everyday activities such as driving, heating homes and doing laundry release polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and microplastics (MPs) into drainage systems, where they can ultimately enter rivers, lakes and coastal waters.
At the Royal Society of Chemistry Water Science Forum in London on 20 January 2026, DCU Water Institute researcher Dr. Mercedes Vázquez presented innovative research that aims to improve how this growing challenge is monitored and managed in urban environments.
Breaking the Laboratory Bottleneck
Monitoring urban runoff has traditionally relied on laboratory-based analysis, which can be time-consuming, costly and dependent on specialised infrastructure. This can limit the scale and speed of water quality assessments.
Dr. Vázquez’s research addresses this monitoring gap through the development of low-cost, portable sensors based on smartphone technology. These devices are designed to detect PAHs and microplastics directly in the field, enabling faster and more flexible analysis.
“Our goal is to make water quality monitoring faster, more accessible and better aligned with real-world decision-making needs,” said Dr. Vázquez during the forum.
The sensors offer several key advantages:
- Rapid in situ analysis: Results are generated on site, reducing the delay between sampling and response.
- Cost-effectiveness: Removing the need for high-end laboratory equipment lowers financial barriers to monitoring.
- User-friendly design: Developed through the EU-funded WATERUN project, the tools are intended for operation with minimal technical expertise, following extensive engagement with stakeholders across the water sector.
Proven Performance Across Europe
The technology has been tested in real-world case studies in Aarhus, Denmark, and Santiago de Compostela, Spain. These field applications demonstrated the sensors’ effectiveness in:
- Identifying contamination hotspots in urban areas.
- Monitoring the performance of water remediation systems in cities and industrial parks.
- Supporting more timely and targeted mitigation strategies.
By enabling quicker screening and site-specific assessment, the sensors contribute to more evidence-based urban water management.
Empowering Citizen Science
Beyond professional monitoring, the portability and accessibility of these sensors open opportunities for integration into citizen science initiatives. Dr. Vázquez highlighted their potential use in programmes such as the DCU Water Institute’s annual WaterBlitz, where communities engage directly in freshwater monitoring.
Such applications could expand monitoring coverage while strengthening public awareness and participation in water protection efforts.
Towards More Proactive Water Management
As pressures on urban water systems continue to grow, innovative monitoring approaches are essential. By combining portability, affordability and rapid in situ analysis, smartphone-based sensors represent a significant step toward more proactive, inclusive and responsive water quality management.
This research was conducted as part of the EU-funded WATERUN project. To learn more about their work in urban water runoff management, visit the