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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Example Water Quality Services

AquaWatch Working Groups AquaWatch Priority Actions for 2018-2019 (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 Working Groups AquaWatch Priority Actions for 2018-2019 (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

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. 2015 and Dekker and Hestir 2012

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

Contact Information If interested in joining a working group or getting involved in AquaWatch, please contact the AquaWatch Secretariat (Merrie-Beth Neely) at info@aquawatch.org Or contact Steven Greb, AquaWatch Director at the University of Wisconsin at srgreb@wisc.edu Visit our website : www.geoaquawatch.org