
When a cyanobacteria bloom developed in one of the lakes in their watershed in 2021, Sarah Blenis and the Hammond River Angling Association (HRAA) found themselves ill-equipped to respond effectively. As Project Manager for a nonprofit watershed group, Sarah faced a critical challenge: how to collect comprehensive data on the bloom without breaking the bank or stretching their limited resources to the breaking point.
The challenge
The organization’s existing methods for monitoring cyanobacteria blooms were proving inadequate. Their handheld multiprobe offered basic parameters like dissolved oxygen, pH, and conductivity, but these measurements alone couldn’t paint a complete picture of the bloom’s triggers or potential toxicity.
Lab fees for water samples were expensive, limiting the frequency and scope of their testing. As a result, they were left with more questions than answers, unable to provide the surrounding community with the information they desperately needed. Sarah realized they needed to change their approach to water quality monitoring, particularly for cyanobacteria.
“We recognized after that initial bloom that we really needed to up our game,” Sarah said.
The organization required a solution that could offer high-frequency, real-time data without constant manual sampling. Moreover, they needed a system that could integrate multiple parameters and present the data in an easily digestible format for both scientists and the public.

Engagement
After extensive research and outreach to various companies, the HRAA discovered AquaRealTime (ART). The decision to engage with ART marked a turning point in their water quality monitoring efforts. They initially purchased two AlgaeTracker units, ART’s internet-of-things-based water quality monitors specifically designed for early warning of organic water contamination, including harmful algae blooms (HABs).
The AlgaeTracker units proved to be game-changers. Unlike their previous methods, which relied on sporadic manual sampling, these devices could be deployed easily and left to collect data autonomously. The units were programmed to take measurements every 30 minutes, providing a continuous stream of data that was automatically uploaded to a cloud-based dashboard.
This high-frequency data collection allowed the HRAA team to capture diurnal fluctuations in water quality parameters, which was previously impossible with their manual sampling regime. The ability to monitor parameters such as chlorophyll-a, phycocyanin, dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature continuously offered unprecedented insights into the dynamics of cyanobacteria blooms.
“We could not physically collect the amount of data that these devices are doing for us, which is a huge input into our scientific research behind the triggering mechanisms of cyanobacteria,” Sarah noted.
The ART dashboard became an invaluable tool for data analysis. It generated charts and graphs, saving the HRAA team countless hours of manual data processing. The dashboard’s customization enabled them to focus on specific parameters and date ranges or compare multiple variables simultaneously, facilitating a deeper understanding of the complex interactions driving bloom formation.

Results
The impact of implementing ART’s technology was profound and multifaceted. The HRAA has expanded from their initial two units to eight units and will soon be expanding to 19 units. With funding from Canada’s Water Agency and the Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative, the HRAA will also be distributing AlgaeTrackers to watershed partners across the Wolastoq/Saint John River watershed in the spring of 2025. This endeavor will mark the province of New Brunswick’s largest collaborative real-time water quality data collection on cyanobacteria to date.
The high-frequency data collection dramatically improved the HRAA’s ability to predict and respond to cyanobacteria blooms. By analyzing trends in key parameters, they could identify early warning signs of impending blooms. This predictive capability enabled them to deploy additional resources proactively, such as targeted water sampling for toxin analysis, precisely when and where they were needed most.
The cost savings were significant. By reducing the need for frequent manual sampling and expensive lab analyses, the organization could allocate its resources more efficiently. The initial investment in ART equipment was offset by the reduction in ongoing sampling and analysis costs, not to mention the invaluable time saved by field staff.
Perhaps most importantly, the implementation of ART technology has transformed the organization’s relationships with other stakeholders. The publicly accessible, real-time data fostered transparency and trust in the community. Local residents gained peace of mind from the continuous monitoring, while other watershed groups and research institutions were drawn to collaborate due to the quality and quantity of the data being generated.
“This will change the way that you are looking at cyanobacteria, and it will change the way that you are collecting data,” Sarah added.

Insights
The success of the HRAA highlights several key insights for effective water quality monitoring:
High-frequency data is imperative. Traditional sporadic sampling often misses critical events or trends. Continuous monitoring offers a complete picture of water quality dynamics.
Integration of multiple parameters is essential. Understanding complex phenomena like HABs requires simultaneous monitoring of various physicochemical and biological parameters.
Real-time data enables proactive management. The ability to detect early warning signs of blooms allows for timely interventions, potentially mitigating their impacts.
User-friendly data presentation is as important as collection. Even the best data is of limited use if it’s not easily interpretable. Customizable dashboards and automated visualization tools are crucial for turning data into actionable insights.
Standardization facilitates collaboration. By providing standardized, high-quality data across multiple watersheds, organizations can encourage broader research collaborations and a more comprehensive understanding of regional water quality issues.
Technology can bridge the gap between scientific monitoring and public engagement. Real-time, publicly accessible data can increase community awareness and support for water quality initiatives.
The journey of the HRAA with AquaRealTime demonstrates that investing in advanced water quality monitoring technology can yield benefits far beyond just data collection. It can increase an organization’s ability to understand, predict, and manage water quality issues while strengthening community relationships and fostering broader scientific collaboration.
To learn more about how AquaRealTime’s AlgaeTracker can revolutionize your water quality monitoring efforts, visit AquaRealTime.com.
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