As wild swimming continues to grow in popularity, so does the need for accurate, accessible information about river water quality. That’s where the Shropshire Wild Bathing app comes in — a new digital tool developed to support safe, informed river use across the region.

Created by Wolf Logic Ltd, and supported by the Environment Agency and the River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region (RSPAWIR), this app is the first of its kind in the UK.

Why the App Was Developed

With more designated bathing sites being introduced and increasing public interest in wild swimming, there is a growing demand for real-time water quality data. Until now, that information has often been hard to access or available only through infrequent sampling.

The Shropshire Wild Bathing app aims to change that — turning environmental data into practical insight for swimmers, paddlers and recreational river users.

What the App Does

The app delivers daily updates on conditions at designated bathing sites, beginning with Ludlow and soon expanding to Shrewsbury. It draws from sensors installed at the sites, which collect and transmit data on:

• Rainfall
• River flow
• Water chemistry
• Bacteria levels, including E.coli

This complex environmental data is converted into clear, user-friendly information, allowing users to check whether conditions are suitable for safe swimming — all in just a few taps.

A UK-First in Environmental Monitoring

The project is part of a broader pilot programme aimed at improving river health transparency and encouraging more sustainable use of natural water bodies. It marks the first time in the UK that this combination of daily water quality metrics has been made publicly accessible through a mobile platform.

By empowering users with real-time environmental insight, the app supports both individual safety and the wider environmental mission of keeping UK rivers clean and swimmable.

Strong Regional Support

A recent launch event in Shrewsbury brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including:

• Dr Julia Buckley, local MP for the area
• Representatives from the Environment Agency
• Officials from Shropshire Council
• Members of the RSPAWIR programme
• The Wolf Logic Ltd development team

The turnout reflects a strong and growing interest in using technology to support public health and environmental protection.

Available Now on iOS and Android

The Shropshire Wild Bathing app is already live for Ludlow and will soon support additional sites as the monitoring network grows.

📲 You can download it now by searching “Shropshire Wild Bathing” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Want to know more about the tech behind the app or how to integrate real-time data into your own public-facing solution? contact us to learn more about our work in digital environmental tools.