News and Resources

A briefing note from the SPACE-O project explores how advanced technology can be used by the water sector to optimize performance (in the case of water utilities) and improve management.   

The use of space technologies in different sectors of the EU economy has seen an increase lately. Advocates suggest that satellite data could help improve or even optimise production, from agricultural practices to drinking water processing. In this special report, EURACTIV.com focuses on the SPACE-O project, which is funded by the EU Horizon 2020 and […]

Demand for water is rising steadily. The gap between global demand and current supply of freshwater is projected to reach 40 percent by 2030(1). By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population could be living in severe water stress conditions(2). Despite this situation, there are a number of tools e.g. improved technologies and improved use of […]

Karin Schenk, Head of the Water Quality Department at EOMAP, has more than 10 years experience in the fields of earth observation services and applied solutions. She successfully developed commercial water monitoring services for various environmental agencies and industry clients and led or participated in EU funded projects such as FRESHMON or SPACE-O to innovate […]

Dr. Aleksandar Sotic holds a PhD from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the University of Belgrade, he is Asset Management coordinator of the Association for Water Technology and Sanitary Engineering, and active member of the Water Association in Serbia. This interview with the International Water Association (IWA) follows Mr Sotic’s participation in an end-user […]

  Interview between the International Water Association (IWA) and Dr. Ilias G. Pechlivanidis, Scientific Leader in Forecasts of Water Variables at the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), Project Manager of the EFAS Dissemination Centre, and Co-Chair of the HEPEX scientific experiment. He further represents SMHI as member of the SPACE-O project consortium. The Space-O […]

Space-O at World Water Week Last week during the 2018 World Water Week in Stockholm, we presented SPACE-O to our fellow water experts. During this showcase event three components of the SPACE-O Portal were live demonstrated to the audience. Godfrey Masinde (Nairobi Water) shared experiences with algae blooms and high turbidity events they face in […]

The online edition of AcquAgenda and GasAgenda – for useful contacts with 35,000 visitors. Click here to see the news on watergas.it or click here to see it in the news section The yearbook AcquAgenda and www.watergas.it/en are dedicated to 60.000 operators and buyers of the water sector, contractors, and technology suppliers. Other services: databases […]

Original article from IWA Network website available here.   Closing the knowledge gap with space technology for wise water management. An international multidisciplinary research consortium develops a digital support platform powered by a satellite system for water quality forecasting. Launch The Space-O platform will be launched as part of the showcase event “Using Space Enabled […]

Interview between Alkiviadis Giannakoulias and the International Water Association (IWA) The Space-O project provides digital solutions for water reservoir managers and water utility operators. By combining satellite technology, hydrodynamic and hydrology modelling software and in-situ monitoring, SPACE-O translates state-of-the-art technology into digital tools tailored for end-users. This project is only one example of digital innovation […]

SPACE-O I s a member of the ICT4Water cluster, which works towards bringing together actors and initiatives in the field of digital water innovation. Developing advanced digital water treatment solutions will contribute dramatically to achieve good status of European water bodies. The water industry of the future will be smart and resource-efficient. Networked, intelligent sensors […]

When we turn on the tap, the water coming out has usually gone through a number of steps to be considered safe for consumption. This of course can depend on where you live in the world. Nonetheless, drinking water suppliers aim to take a raw water source, treat it until safe for consumption, and supply [...]

Early this month Space-O joined ICT4Water a cluster of all EU funded research projects that apply ICT across water’s entire life cycle and value chain. Their goal is to drive the European industry forward by promoting the transition of ICT technologies into the water sector from pilot scale to wide market uptake. They aim to [...]

“Monitoring the status of our freshwater lakes and rivers has never been more important. Regular observation is essential to determine their health, quickly identify trends and acknowledge signs of degradation particularly for areas in scarce supply.” The 1968 Earthrise photograph, a photograph of the Earth and parts of the Moon‘s surface taken by astronaut Bill […]

Water surface temperature is the result of the energy balance at the water surface and heat transport mechanisms within the water body. It is an important water quality parameter related to biodiversity in lakes and knowledge of this parameter is needed to characterize processes at the water surface. Lake surface temperature reflects meteorological and climatological […]

* Following some reflections on the blurring of the line between science and citizens, you will find a sneak peek of the SPACE-O citizen engagement platform. This year, Earth Day was marked by the launch of an international movement, March for Science, calling for scientists to come out of their ivory towers and share the importance […]

Recently the Thermaikos Gulf in Thessaloniki, Greece, experienced one of the worst algae blooms in recent years. On June 26th, 2017, a brown-yellow film of sludge appeared on the surface of the sea. The phenomenon which is known as the “red tide” appears on a regular basis in Thessaloniki (usually spring and autumn) and lasts […]

If my academic and professional experience has taught me anything, it is that Noam Chomsky got it right when he said, “We have two choices. We can be pessimistic, give up, and help ensure that the worst will happen. Or we can be optimistic, grasp the opportunities that surely exist, and maybe help make the […]

1        Background on water services The development of water services at the regional, national and continental scale is crucial for a number of applications, including resources and reservoir management, flood hazards and mitigation, etc. The core service for modern production of water information include a production chain, which is driven by end-user dialogues and then […]

“…even if all the other building blocks of effective conservation are in place, we will not succeed unless the general public cares, and they are unlikely to care enough if they no longer experience nature directly.”* There’s a certain irony that World Environment Day, on June 5th, comes only a few days after the United […]

“High resolution pictures from earth observation could assist our water company in knowing when it’s the best time to take water from the river when the water stored during winter isn’t enough to supply for the summer months, highly reducing our maintenance costs.” Satellites have a long history, with the American writer, Edward Everett Hale, […]

Drinking water accounts for about 18% of the total fresh water abstractions in the European Union (EU). Providing safe and reliable drinking water to over 508 million inhabitants, places the water sector at the centre of environmental, social and economic decision-making. Performance efficiency in water utilities has traditionally been associated with good water quality production […]