A groundbreaking project is using cutting-edge technology to transform how Dubliners interact with the River Liffey. By installing a network of sensors, the River Liffey Water Sensors Pilot is providing live data on the river's behaviour, empowering local communities and improving environmental planning.

This pilot, a partnership between UTS Technologies and Smart Docklands, shows how real-time environmental data can benefit everyone who lives, works, and plays along the Liffey. It's a game-changer for sustainability and decision-making in our city.

How It Works

The project is part of the 2024 Smart Docklands Pilot Call, a collaboration with the CONNECT Centre at Trinity College Dublin and Dublin City Council. Engineers deployed 14 advanced sensors along the Liffey, stretching from Heuston Station all the way to the East Link Bridge.

These sensors continuously measure key metrics like river levels, flow rates, and water temperature. The result? A clear, real-time snapshot of the river’s conditions.

Professor Dan Kilper, Director of the CONNECT Centre, explained, "The River Liffey sensors highlight what's possible when research, innovation, and community come together. Real-time data helps us understand the river as a living system and supports more sustainable, inclusive use of this vital shared space."

Olivia D’Arcy, COO at UTS Technologies, added that a focus on real-world needs was key. "It has been fantastic working closely with the Smart Docklands team and local user groups. Their input has helped us tailor our technology to real-world needs, enabling better decision-making for a whole range of river activities – from recreation to safety to maintenance.”

Co-creating with Dublin's Communities

Community engagement was at the heart of this project's success. Through workshops and direct conversations, the team gathered invaluable insights from a diverse range of river users, including water sports clubs, emergency responders, and maintenance crews.

At a recent workshop held at CHQ Dublin, various community groups were able to get a first look at the new data dashboard and discuss how open access to the Liffey's data can improve its shared use and long-term care.

Shelly O'Riordan from Dublin City Council's Planning and Economic Development office, said the sensors are a huge step forward in how we connect with the river. "Having live water level data empowers people to engage more confidently, whether they're planning a paddle or simply curious about the river’s levels."

"Combined with the new Water Sports Centre in the Docklands, this tool opens up exciting opportunities for more people to experience and enjoy water-based activities right in the heart of the city," she continued. "It’s about making the Liffey more accessible, more inviting, and better understood by everyone.”

Real-World Benefits

This real-time sensor system is already delivering practical benefits for a variety of users:

  • Recreational users can check river conditions before heading out, helping them stay safe.

  • City teams can monitor the river’s behaviour to plan clean-ups or respond to debris.

  • Emergency responders can access critical flow data to inform their operations.

  • Environmental planners now have essential data to build upon for longer-term climate and water management goals.

The pilot also encourages a greater sense of public awareness about the Liffey as a living system—one that changes with the tides and seasons. By putting this data directly into the hands of those who use the river daily, the project is strengthening both environmental stewardship and our city's connection to the water.

About the Project

The River Liffey Water Sensors Pilot was developed by UTS Technologies as part of the Smart Docklands 2024 Pilot Call. This initiative brings world-leading smart sensor technology to the heart of Dublin's smart city programme, driving innovation, collaboration, and environmental sustainability.

To learn more, you can visit the River Liffey Water Sensors project page or view the Live Dashboard.