1. The GEO AquaWatch Initiative CEOS “Freshwater from Space” Workshop
13-15 November 2018
Delft, Netherlands

2. AquaWatch Mission The mission of AquaWatch is to:
Improve the coordination, delivery and utilization of water quality information for the benefit of society

3. GEO AquaWatch Goal
AquaWatch aims to develop and build the global capacity and utility of Earth Observation-derived water quality data, products and information to support water resources management and decision making.
Chesapeake Bay Buoy – NOAA Image
Lakes Mendota & Monona -University of Wisconsin SSEC image

4. GEO AquaWatch- a community of practice
Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.
AquaWatch participants include individuals from various organizations including state, federal, and international governmental agencies, private consulting companies, nonprofit organizations, nongovernmental organizations and academic institutions.

5. AquaWatch Objectives
Objective 1: Facilitate effective partnerships between the producers, providers and users of water quality data, products and information.
Objective 2: Improve analysis and integration of in situ and remote sensing water quality data.
Objective 3: Develop and deliver fit-for-purpose water quality products and information services.
Objective 4: Support technology transfer and access to water quality data products and information.
Objective 5: Advocate for increased education and capacity for the use of water quality information for decision making.

6. AquaWatch Working Groups
AquaWatch has have five Working Groups (WGs). The function of the WGs is to support timely and successful project implementation and task execution, and provide necessary scientific, technical and other support as required for projects and activities.

7. AquaWatch Working Groups
AquaWatch has have five Working Groups (WGs). The function of the WGs is to support timely and successful project implementation and task execution, and provide necessary scientific, technical and other support as required for projects and activities.
Feedback loop

8. Water Quality Information for the Benefit of Society
Earth Observation of inland and coastal water quality: recent developments, priorities & public engagement
29-31 August 2018, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
A joint meeting co-organised by GEO AquaWatch & the NERC GloboLakes project

9. Example Water Quality Services

10. AquaWatch Working Groups
AquaWatch Priority Actions for
(Outcomes from GloboLake/AquaWatch meeting Aug. 2018)
Observations and Data; Data Products, Information and Validation; and Distribution, Access, and Visualization
Update existing data product inventory on AW website (In situ, remote sensed, portal/static data sets), gap analysis and develop a database that is query-able.
Library of Algorithms - Develop a review paper on this library of algorithms
Document on optical standards for optical properties – inventory of protocols.
Citizen science efforts- Papers being developed on smart phones, drones, low-cost sensors

11. AquaWatch Working Groups
AquaWatch Priority Actions for
(Outcomes from GloboLake/AquaWatch meeting Aug. 2018)
Observations and Data; Data Products, Information and Validation; and Distribution, Access, and Visualization
Update existing data product inventory on AW website (In situ, remote sensed, portal/static data sets), gap analysis and develop a database that is query-able.
Library of Algorithms - Develop a review paper on this library of algorithms
Document on optical standards for optical properties – inventory of protocols.
Citizen science efforts- Papers being developed on smart phones, drones, low-cost sensors
AquaWatch Capacity Building, Outreach and Education Breakout
Develop software application decision tree
Survey of training needs and existing capacity
Guidelines for materials for training/capacity building
Compilation/vetting of existing training/ gap identification surveys
Demonstration Project
Provide support for SDG efforts
Further development and enhancements of AquaWatch website
Continued support for Webinar series

12. Challenges and barriers to the End User Community
RS-derived water quality information
Costs
Parameter Accuracy
Data continuity- reliability
Institutional knowledge
Regulatory requirements
Programmatic support
What can we deliver vs. what are the needs (scientific, management)?
Temporal
Spatial
How will the information be delivered? Who will deliver it?
Continuing science challenges (e.g. AC, variability of IOPs)
Small research groups working in isolation –data sharing, particularly in situ
Adapted from Schaeffer et al. 2012, Palmer et al and Dekker and Hestir 2012

13. Recent Effort Toward Sustainable Development Goals
AquaWatch Activities
Recent Effort Toward Sustainable Development Goals
Water quality monitoring is particularly relevant to tracking progress towards SDG targets 6.3, 6.6 and 14.1:
6.3.2: Change in ambient water quality
6.6.1: Change in water related ecosystems over time
14.1.1: Life below water – coastal eutrophication and plastics

14. Contact Information
If interested in joining a working group or getting involved in AquaWatch, please contact the AquaWatch Secretariat (Merrie-Beth Neely) at
Or contact Steven Greb, AquaWatch Director at the University of Wisconsin at
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