Earth Observation for Water Quality

Our workstream is a global community of scientists, professionals, volunteers, and students dedicated to the use of satellite-based Earth Observation (EO) for monitoring water quality and quantity.

Earth Observation offers valuable data and insights that can complement in-situ monitoring by providing consistent, large-scale, and long-term observations. These EO-derived data products help us detect changes in water bodies over time, understand spatial patterns, and fill critical data gaps, especially in regions where ground measurements are scarce or unavailable.

By applying EO technologies, we aim to support sustainable water management, contribute to the monitoring and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and drive innovation in addressing global water challenges. EO data can inform early warning systems, track harmful algal blooms, assess sediment and nutrient loads, and monitor surface water extent and dynamics—crucial for ecosystem and human health, agriculture, and climate resilience.

Our activities range from collaborative research and capacity building to knowledge-sharing events. We convene monthly meetings that serve as a space to connect, learn, and share experiences. We welcome newcomers and are actively expanding our network—join us in harnessing EO for a water-secure future.

Highlights

Participatory process for EO-based indicator

Waterbody-level classification using the EO-based indicator

Water-ForCE Roadmap

Workstream publications

2025

Wilson, Harriet; Raasakka, Nina; Spyrakos, Evangelos; Millar, David; Neely, Merrie Beth; Salyani, Anham; Pawar, Shubham; Chernov, Igor; Ague, S. Karen De Lespérance; Vega, Ximena Aguilar; Akinsemolu, Adenike; Martinez, Analy Baltodano; Castro, Carmen Cillero; Valle, Michelle Del; Fadlelseed, Mohamed; Ferral, Anabella; Hassen, Jemal Mohammed; Jiang, Dalin; Mubambi, Tracey Kudzanai; Fuente, Sofia La; Lateef, Lukumon Olaitan; Lobo, Felipe De L.; Marty, Jerome; Nkwasa, Albert; Obuya, Julia Akinyi; Ogashawara, Igor; Reusen, Ils; Rogers, Ashley; Schmidt, Susanne I.; Sharma, Kabindra; Simis, Stefan G. H.; Wang, Shenglei; Warner, Stuart; Tyler, Andrew

Unlocking the global benefits of Earth Observation to address the SDG 6 in situ water quality monitoring gap Journal Article

In: Frontiers in Remote Sensing, vol. 6, pp. 1549286, 2025, ISSN: 2673-6187.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

@article{wilson_unlocking_2025,

title = {Unlocking the global benefits of Earth Observation to address the SDG 6 in situ water quality monitoring gap},

author = {Harriet Wilson and Nina Raasakka and Evangelos Spyrakos and David Millar and Merrie Beth Neely and Anham Salyani and Shubham Pawar and Igor Chernov and S. Karen De Lespérance Ague and Ximena Aguilar Vega and Adenike Akinsemolu and Analy Baltodano Martinez and Carmen Cillero Castro and Michelle Del Valle and Mohamed Fadlelseed and Anabella Ferral and Jemal Mohammed Hassen and Dalin Jiang and Tracey Kudzanai Mubambi and Sofia La Fuente and Lukumon Olaitan Lateef and Felipe De L. Lobo and Jerome Marty and Albert Nkwasa and Julia Akinyi Obuya and Igor Ogashawara and Ils Reusen and Ashley Rogers and Susanne I. Schmidt and Kabindra Sharma and Stefan G. H. Simis and Shenglei Wang and Stuart Warner and Andrew Tyler},

url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsen.2025.1549286/full},

doi = {10.3389/frsen.2025.1549286},

issn = {2673-6187},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-03-01},

urldate = {2025-04-03},

journal = {Frontiers in Remote Sensing},

volume = {6},

pages = {1549286},

abstract = {Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 requires innovative and often disruptive approaches to address critical gaps in global water quality monitoring. The most recent SDG Indicator 6.3.2 

 (Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality) 

 progress report highlights a critical water quality 

 in situ 

 data gap, with an urgent need for countries to strengthen their monitoring capacity and commence state water quality assessments and trend analysis. Earth Observation (EO) technologies hold immense potential to close that gap for SDG Indicator 6.3.2. However, limited awareness, lack of skills and resource inequalities are some of the barriers which hinder widespread adoption of EO. We present insights from a unique workshop held at the University of Stirling in 2024, which convened diverse participants from academia, industry, NGOs, and international agencies and across disciplines, geographies, and sectors. Through creative and collective thinking approaches, they developed four actionable concepts: (1) Space Buzz: a media campaign to raise awareness of EO value; (2) centralised EO access hubs to empower users and improve equality; (3) scalable education strategies for capacity building; and (4) an Intergovernmental Panel for Water Quality to enhance global coordination. Each concept derived from a synoptic creative process, demonstrating the uniqueness of thinking within the teams. To unlock the potential of EO for global water quality monitoring, we invite EO networks, funders, water resource managers and individuals to champion these concepts, and incorporate them into funding calls and proposals.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}