Novel fluorophores and their use as fluorescent tags for polymers used in wastewater treatment. The fluorophores are quaternary amine salts that can be used to synthesize fluorescent tagged polymers that are stable at varying pH, have significant water solubility, and may be fluorescent at wavelengths greater than 550 nm. The fluorophores readily undergo polymerization with vinylic monomers to form fluorescent tagged polymers with excellent incorporation of fluorophore into the polymer framework. The fluorescent tagged polymers are useful to monitor and optionally dose industrial wastewater.