Charles River Watershed Association partners with Virridy to test Lume™ E. coli monitoring sensor in the Charles (Press Release)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2025
Contact: Stefan Geller, Senior Communications Manager
Email: sgeller@crwa.org
BOSTON, MA—The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) has partnered with Virridy, a water quality monitoring and environmental data science company, to test Virridy’s Lume™ E.coli sensor in the Charles River as part of CRWA’s water quality monitoring program.
CRWA maintains one of the most robust water quality data sets in the nation that both the Environmental Protection Agency and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection rely on to set and enforce water quality standards. The program closely monitors water chemistry, tracks pollution, identifies cyanobacteria blooms, assesses streamflow, and identifies challenges for the Charles River ecosystem.
Data for the program has historically been collected by hundreds of dedicated community science volunteers, but through the pilot program, which began on May 2, Virridy’s Lume™ sensor will use tryptophan-like fluorescence (TLF) and machine learning analytics to estimate E. coli levels in surface waters.
“Restoring and protecting the Charles River and its watershed has been our mission since 1965 and we are excited to partner with Virridy to explore new ways to monitor the health of the river,” said Emily Norton, executive director of CRWA.
This collaboration builds on CRWA’s 60-year legacy of transforming the Charles River from one of America’s most polluted waterways into a model of urban river recovery. CRWA’s work has been grounded in science, advocacy, and legal action, with an increasing focus on climate adaptation, public health protection, and environmental equity. The Lume pilot aims to provide real-time water quality insights to support these goals and inform future monitoring and resilience strategies.
“Deploying Lume in the Charles River marks an exciting milestone for us,” said Evan Thomas, CEO of Virridy. “CRWA has set the national standard for watershed restoration and urban water quality monitoring. We’re proud to collaborate on this pilot to demonstrate how cutting-edge technology can further improve environmental safety and climate resilience in iconic water bodies like the Charles.”
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Charles River Watershed Association’s mission is to protect, restore and enhance the Charles River and its watershed through science, advocacy, and the law. CRWA develops science-based strategies to increase resilience, protect public health, and promote environmental equity as we confront a changing climate.
