Executive Summary
Traditional water sampling in rivers and lakes often requires boats, rugged terrain access, and significant time and cost. Sparv Embedded, in collaboration with research partners, is transforming this process using UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) equipped with the modular Sparvio sensor system. In a recent demo in Västervik, Sweden, a quadcopter successfully collected water samples at multiple points—without the need for boats or manual intervention. This approach drastically reduces logistical complexity while maintaining lab-grade sample integrity. The next phase will integrate real-time measurements of temperature, pH, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen, enabling immediate detection of water quality anomalies. This UAV-based method is ideal for tracking pollution plumes, responding to chemical spills, and conducting routine environmental assessments with greater speed, flexibility, and precision.
Key Learnings
- UAVs eliminate the need for boats in remote water sampling missions.
- Sparvio’s modular sensor system enables synchronized data collection and logging.
- Real-time measurements of key water parameters will enhance field responsiveness.
- The system supports both sample collection and in-situ analysis.
- Ideal for mapping pollution plumes and detecting chemical spills.
- Reduces cost, time, and environmental impact compared to traditional methods.
The Challenge of Traditional Water Sampling
Collecting water samples from lakes, rivers, and streams is essential for environmental monitoring—but it’s rarely easy. Researchers often face poor road access, dense forests, and the need to transport boats and equipment over long distances. These logistical hurdles make sampling expensive, time-consuming, and sometimes impractical for frequent or emergency assessments.
UAVs as a Game-Changer for Field Sampling
Sparv Embedded joined a multidisciplinary team to develop a UAV-based solution that simplifies water sampling. By leveraging years of experience in drone sensor integration, Sparv deployed its Sparvio system on a quadcopter platform. During a field demo on May 14th in Västervik, Sweden, the drone hovered over a lake and descended twice to collect water samples using a suspended payload. These samples were then analyzed in a lab using standard procedures.
Sparvio Sensor System: Modular and Field-Ready
Sparvio is a flexible, plug-and-play sensor platform designed for UAVs and environmental applications. It synchronizes data from multiple sources—including GPS, ultrasonic wind sensors, and payload sensors—and transmits it to a ground station in real time. This allows operators to monitor flight paths, sensor readings, and sample locations live on a map, improving accuracy and situational awareness.
Next Steps: Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring
The upcoming phase of development will add direct measurement capabilities for:
- Temperature
- pH levels
- Electrical conductivity
- Dissolved oxygen concentration
These parameters will be visible to the operator during flight, enabling immediate identification of water quality anomalies. For example, in the event of a chemical spill, the drone can detect deviations and collect targeted samples for lab analysis.
Applications and Impact
This UAV-based water sampling system offers broad utility across environmental science, public health, and industrial monitoring:
- Pollution tracking: Map and quantify plumes from agricultural runoff or industrial discharge.
- Emergency response: Rapid assessment of chemical spills or contamination events.
- Routine monitoring: Cost-effective sampling for lakes, rivers, and reservoirs.
- Research support: High-resolution data for ecological and hydrological studies.
By reducing the barriers to water sampling, this technology empowers researchers and regulators to act faster, cover more ground, and respond to environmental threats with greater agility.
Source:
[1] Testbädd UAV Västervik Testbädd UAV Västervik | RISE
[2] Water Sampling with UAVs | Windsond
About the author
Mattias Wilzén
Head of Finance & Customer Accounts
Oversees financial performance and ensures smooth operations for our customers, from order to delivery and ongoing support.