Vilnius installs real-time pollution monitoring system on Neris

Three floating monitoring stations have been installed on the Neris river in Vilnius to detect changes in water quality in real time, LRT reported, citing the Vilnius municipality.

The system also includes infrastructure for attaching four pollution-control booms. In addition, 12 locations outside the official bathing areas will undergo microbiological water testing during the bathing season.

The monitoring stations will measure water pH, oxygen saturation, oil product levels and temperature, in line with recommendations from Lithuania’s National Public Health Center. They are equipped with GPS, solar panels and systems adapted for operation in the river and resistance to floating debris.

All monitoring data will be combined into a single system. If selected water-quality indicators exceed set limits for a specified period, the system will automatically alert a dispatcher, mark the changed reading in red and provide instructions for further action.

The system will cover the section of the Neris from the Turniškės hydroelectric power plant to Grigiškės. It is intended to shorten the time between detecting possible pollution and responding to it.

Four sites designated by the Vilnius Fire and Rescue Service have been fitted with poles for securing pollution-control booms. The municipality said that, until now, deploying floating booms before starting to collect pollutants could take more than two hours.

With the Neris flowing at an estimated speed of about 7 kilometres per hour, pollutants can travel a considerable distance during that time, accumulate in bends and collect on riverside vegetation. The pre-installed attachment points are intended to speed up the deployment of booms and the containment and collection of pollutants.

Water quality will also be assessed at 12 additional Neris locations frequently visited by residents and used for swimming. Samples will be taken every two weeks alongside inspections of official beaches, and weekly if pollution is detected. Until 2025, microbiological testing covered four official bathing areas.

Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas said pollution risks could arise both outside the city and within it. The Neris flows into Lithuania from Belarus, where its water is used to cool the Astravets nuclear power plant and supply Minsk, he said.