Anyone wanting to assess the water quality of a river, canal or lake typically relies on samples taken at a limited number of fixed locations. While these measurements provide valuable information, they are rather like trying to view a landscape through a handful of small keyholes. Dutch company Deep – a finalist in the WIS Award 2026 – aims to reveal the complete picture.
Deep is best known as a specialist in hydrography and geophysics: mapping what lies beneath the water’s surface. Using advanced sensors, survey vessels and drones, the company collects vast amounts of data on riverbeds, harbours and navigable waterways. In recent years, it has increasingly focused on a new challenge: monitoring water quality.
A Complete Picture
“Our innovation makes it possible to measure water quality dynamically across an entire area, rather than at just a handful of sampling points,” says Mees Beaumont, Water Quality Project Coordinator at Deep. “Sensors mounted beneath electric survey vessels continuously record parameters such as dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, nutrient levels and indicators of algal blooms. We then transform these data into detailed maps that immediately highlight potential problem areas.”
According to Beaumont, this represents a significant step forward. “Traditional monitoring only tells you what the water is like at one specific location. Our approach shows how water quality varies across an entire river, harbour or lake. That allows pollution sources and other bottlenecks to be identified much more quickly, enabling faster and more targeted action.”
Near Real-Time Insights
To further develop the technology, Deep is collaborating with research institute Wetsus, where innovative water quality sensors and advanced data analytics are being developed to monitor surface water more accurately and efficiently. The ultimate goal is to provide water authorities with near real-time insight into the condition of surface waters.
A further distinguishing feature is that Deep carries out its surveys as sustainably as possible. The company uses electric survey vessels and autonomous systems, ensuring that water quality is monitored with minimal environmental impact.
Deep is one of the finalists for the WIS Award 2026. The final will take place on 26 October during European Water Technology Week 2026 in Leeuwarden. The other finalists are CIWI, Flowless, Luper, Solaq, Spectromarine and Versa Solution.
For more information and registration, visit:
www.europeanwatertechweek.eu