New flood sensor installed in Pentre to improve safety and local flood monitoring
Matt Smith, Mark Cuthbert Brown and Sarah Marston with the new sensor at Pentre
People living in Pentre will benefit from new technology designed to improve flood monitoring and provide better information during periods of high water.
A new sensor has been installed near the River Severn in the village as part of the River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region (RSPAWIR), which is supporting the use of advanced wireless technology to help communities, public services and water management organisations make better informed decisions.
The sensor will provide continuous monitoring of local water levels, sending data remotely through a wireless network. This information can be viewed in real time, helping local partners understand how water levels are changing during heavy rainfall and flood events.
Mark Cuthbert Brown, a parish councillor for the village, said:-
“Pentre has experienced flooding on a number of occasions and has a strong history of community action during severe weather events.
“This has largely relied on people going out in the worst weather and at all times of the day and night to observe condition and report them back to the community.
“The new monitoring equipment will change that, allowing readings to be made safely and remotely, and the data will strengthen the information available to local responders and help build a clearer picture of how and when we need to act.”
Sarah Marston, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for Environment, said:-
“Communities such as Pentre know only too well the impact flooding can have on homes, businesses and local roads. By using modern wireless technology to improve monitoring, we can build a better understanding of how water behaves in this area and support more informed responses when severe weather occurs.
“This is a practical example of how innovation can help communities become more resilient while providing valuable information that will support future flood management planning.”
The project is one of a number of RSPAWIR-funded initiatives using wireless technology to improve water management across the River Severn catchment. Similar projects have demonstrated how real-time monitoring can support faster decision making, improve resilience and reduce the need for manual inspections.
Matt Smith, programme manager for RSPAWIR, added:-
“One of the aims of RSPAWIR is to demonstrate how advanced wireless technology can help address real-world challenges across the River Severn catchment. The installation of the sensor at Pentre will provide valuable data and help show how connected technologies can support flood management and community resilience.”
About the RSPAWIR: The £4m River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and is managed by Shropshire Council on behalf of partners across England and Wales. It is focused on accelerating the adoption of advanced wireless technologies across the water management, agri-tech and public sectors.
