How South West Water Are Using a Waterproof Drone for Safer Sampling

When it comes to water quality monitoring, getting accurate samples is only half the challenge. The real issue is often access.

Rivers, reservoirs, estuaries and coastal areas can be difficult and sometimes dangerous to reach. Mud flats, steep banks and changing weather conditions all increase risk for field teams. That is exactly where a waterproof drone starts to change things.

South West Water recently adopted drone technology to improve how they monitor water quality across their network. Instead of sending personnel into hazardous environments, they are now able to collect samples remotely using a floating drone designed specifically for work on and around water.

Why Traditional Sampling Falls Short

Water companies carry out regular monitoring to meet environmental regulations and maintain public transparency. But many of the locations that need testing are not easily accessible.

• Soft ground and unstable banks
• Remote or restricted access locations
• Changing tides and weather conditions
• Increased health and safety risks for staff

Even when access is possible, it is not always efficient. Time spent reaching a sampling point can outweigh the actual task itself.

This is where a weatherproof drone offers a practical alternative.

The Shift to Waterproof Drone Technology

To solve these challenges, South West Water introduced the SwellPro SplashDrone 4 into their workflow.

This is not a standard drone with a bit of water resistance. It is a purpose-built waterproof drone with an IP67 rating, meaning it can land on water, float, and continue operating without damage.

More importantly, it can carry a water sampling payload.

Instead of sending a technician out, the drone is flown to the sampling point, lands on the surface, fills the sample bottle, and returns safely to the operator.

Simple, repeatable, and far safer.

Real World Use with South West Water

South West Water are now using drones to monitor:

• Rivers and inland waterways
• Reservoirs and lakes
• Coastal and estuarine environments
• Areas affected by storm overflow events

In many of these cases, access would normally be difficult or risky. With a floating drone, those same locations become quick and straightforward to reach.

If you want to see the original deployment and handover, you can read more here:
South West Water reservoir sampling project

Why a Floating Drone Makes All the Difference

The key advantage is not just that the drone flies. It is what happens when it reaches the water.

Unlike conventional drones, the SplashDrone can:

• Land directly on water
• Float while collecting samples
• Self-right if disturbed
• Take off again from the surface

That combination removes a huge amount of risk.

If something goes wrong with a normal drone over water, it is gone. With a waterproof drone, recovery is not an issue. It is built for that environment.

Built for Real Conditions

Water monitoring does not always happen in perfect weather. In fact, some of the most important sampling takes place during or after heavy rainfall, particularly when dealing with storm overflows.

This is where a weatherproof drone becomes essential.

The SplashDrone platform is designed to handle:

• Rain and spray
• Wind over open water
• Take-off and landing on uneven surfaces
• Repeated missions in harsh environments

Training and Safe Operations

Introducing drones into operational workflows requires proper training and procedures.

South West Water worked alongside a certified training provider to ensure their teams could operate safely and in line with CAA requirements.

If you are considering implementing something similar, you can explore training options here:
Drone training with Eagle Eye Innovations

More Than Just Water Sampling

Once the drone capability was in place, South West Water began expanding its use.

• Aerial site inspections
• Monitoring invasive species
• Habitat mapping
• Operational imagery

Is a Waterproof Drone Right for You?

If your work involves water, whether that is utilities, environmental monitoring, search and rescue, or marine inspection, a floating drone is worth serious consideration.

You are not just buying a drone. You are removing a barrier.

Explore the platform used in this case study:
View the SplashDrone 4

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This case study was developed in collaboration with industry partners including South West Water and Copper Turtle, who supported the production of the original materials.