How the City of Wilmington Uses AlgaeTracker To Monitor Water Quality in Real Time

Nestled in the heart of Wilmington, North Carolina, Greenfield Lake is more than just a scenic destination. It’s a beloved community hub. Families gather at the playground, bikers cruise around the loop, and neighbors enjoy a peaceful walk around the water. But as warm months approach, so does an all-too-familiar threat: algae blooms. That’s why the city of Wilmington is taking a proactive step to monitor water quality with the recent deployment of its first AquaRealTime AlgaeTracker.

“In the summer months is when the water quality issues start to pop up here,” said Aaron Beckner, assistant public works director for the city of Wilmington.

To address these challenges head-on, the city recently deployed its first AlgaeTracker in Greenfield Lake. The solar-powered AlgaeTracker is Wilmington’s first real-time water quality monitoring device. It continuously monitors critical parameters like air and water temperature, turbidity, and algae and cyanobacteria levels. This data enables city staff to identify patterns and develop a proactive maintenance plan, helping reduce the risk of harmful algae blooms before they become a problem.

“It allows us to track trends over time and come up with a preventative maintenance plan,” said Beckner.

Real-time monitoring provides valuable insights into the lake’s health, helping the city protect a park that means so much to so many. The ultimate goal is a cleaner, safer lake for everyone to enjoy now and in the future.

The initiative reflects a broader shift in how municipalities are addressing water quality. With climate change and increasing nutrient runoff exacerbating algae issues across the country, cities like Wilmington are turning to technology for smarter solutions.

“It’ll take a little bit of time,” Beckner noted, “but everybody, I think, understands the beauty of this park and why we need to protect it.”

If the pilot proves successful, the city may expand its use of the technology to other water bodies. For now, Wilmington’s investment in using real-time data to monitor water quality is a strong step forward in protecting Greenfield Lake and ensuring its natural beauty is preserved for generations to come.

To learn how to deploy AlgaeTracker in your city, contact AquaRealTime at AquaRealTime.com.