SWIM NI is a cross-border research programme for developing a system for live bathing water monitoring. It combines the expertise of the lead partner University College Dublin along with Northern Irish project partners Agri-Food Biosciences Institute and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful. The aim is to develop a system that will allow bathers to check the water quality of their chosen bathing spots live before they dip a toe in the water through the use of an anticipated app on their smart phones. The SWIM project will enable short-term pollution to be predicted, through the development of a bathing water quality prediction model and deriving from this, the capacity to inform the public through a series of media channels including text alerts and automatic web updates, and real-time communication via alert services delivered through electronic signage installed strategically at beach entrances. This will help to protect public health, significantly improve communication to members of the public, and in doing so contribute to promoting tourism.