A pilot initiative has begun testing advanced sensors along the River Derg to detect sudden drops in water quality.
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency and Loughs Agency are working with FASTA to deploy equipment that records temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH levels and turbidity continuously.
Current measurements at three sites under the Water Framework Directive rely on monthly sampling, which fails to capture brief pollution incidents.
Officials note that while existing data reveals general river conditions, it provides insufficient detail on short-duration contamination events.
The project aims to determine if frequent in-situ monitoring offers greater value for identifying pollution sources and timing.
Water quality concerns remain relevant given the River Derg's status as a drinking water source and its ecological significance.
Recent pollution incidents affecting both the River Derg and the Mourne River have highlighted the need for improved detection methods.
Information gathered will be transmitted via telemetry or stored in data loggers depending on signal strength and equipment capabilities.
The scheme represents a collaboration between environmental regulators, water bodies management and local angling interests.
Success depends on the availability of necessary infrastructure to support real-time data transmission across the catchment.
Further details on implementation timelines are expected to be provided by project partners in the coming weeks.