Impact

Supporting better water quality management and early warning of harmful events

AquaWatch will support better water quality management across Australia and the world with accurate monitoring and forecasts providing early warning of harmful events such as toxic algal blooms, blackwater and runoff contamination.

The data it provides will be critical to helping environmental managers improve outcomes for our natural environment and aquatic biodiversity, including after devastating events like bushfires and floods.

It will increase resilience of communities that depend on water for drinking, sanitation and agriculture as they face increasing climate pressures and extreme weather. The data will also enhance industrial and commercial water resource management, planning and policy.

AquaWatch Australia will provide an early warning system to improve management of harmful algae blooms and contaminants. This timely data will support communities to better manage human and animal health impacts from toxic water quality events.

It will also assist with monitoring and managing our aquatic ecosystems and reducing the economic impact on industries that rely on safe healthy marine environments, such as aquaculture, fishing, tourism and recreation.

The benefits extend to coastal areas with the ability to monitor bays, coastal wetlands, aquaculture farming, mangrove forests and coral reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef. In addition to the many applications of AquaWatch, it is expected the development, design, build and roll-out of the system infrastructure will directly stimulate growth in Australia’s domestic space capability, and drive expertise in remote sensing, advanced manufacturing and engineering.