The Reservoir Center for Water Solutions and Anacostia Riverkeeper have launched a real-time E. coli monitoring research pilot on the Anacostia River. Partners will compare Lume sensor estimates against traditional E. coli monitoring, testing the technology while generating new insights into how water conditions change over time. The pilot will evaluate what continuous, high-frequency monitoring can add to understanding water quality patterns.
E. coli is the primary indicator determining whether waterways are safe for recreation. Rather than culturing bacteria in a lab, Lume reads a natural fluorescent marker linked to fecal contamination and instantly converts it into an E. coli risk estimate. Fecal contamination enters local waterways through combined sewer overflows during heavy rainfall and stormwater runoff carrying pet and wildlife waste. thelume.ai.
