World Lakes Day

AquaWatch4Lakes: Indonesia Technology Demonstration Project

Making space to support lake health with AquaWatch4Lakes

This year on 27 August, the world will celebrate the first official World Lakes Day. Adopted by the United Nations in December 2024 following Indonesia’s proposal, this observance aims to raise global awareness about the critical role lakes play in supporting biodiversity, livelihoods, and climate resilience. 

Lakes hold over 90% of the Earth’s surface freshwater (Herschy, R.W. (2012). They help to regulate climate, support agriculture, provide drinking water, and sustain ecosystems. Yet, many lakes are under threat from pollution, overuse, and climate change. Lake Tempe, one of Indonesia’s largest freshwater lakes, is no exception—facing challenges from sedimentation, fluctuating water levels, and declining fish stocks. 

To help solve these issues, CSIRO designed a project under its AquaWatch Australia program called AquaWatch4Lakes: Indonesia Technology Demonstrator, which integrates Earth observation data with in-situ sensor measurements to deliver actionable, scientifically robust water quality data for its partners. 

Led by CSIRO and funded through the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) in collaboration with key Indonesian partners from BAPPENAS, BRIN and Hasanuddin University, the project’s aim is to provide innovative tools to monitor Indonesian lakes, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions.  

Through a co-design and collaborative approach, the project will build on existing research, scientific knowledge and the outcomes of aligned initiatives to deploy a suitable in-situ sensor suite, and; evaluate the functionality and suitability of AquaWatch inland water quality products to support: 

•  Real-time water quality monitoring for Lake Tempe, Indonesia 

•  Data-driven decision-making for local and national policymakers 

•  Sustainable lake management to protect biodiversity and livelihoods 

By developing a cohesive, data-driven approach to water monitoring, it will be possible to better anticipate, manage, and mitigate water quality impacts specifically for the Indonesian context. 

As World Lakes Day becomes an annual global observance every August 27, Lake Tempe stands as a beacon of innovation, resilience, and international cooperation. With technology, diplomacy, and community engagement, Indonesia is charting a path toward healthier lakes—and a healthier planet, and CSIRO and our key partners look forward to contributing to these goals through research in action.