Australia’s national science research agency, CSIRO, is working with partners in California to test and enhance AquaWatch Australia, a service that provides water quality updates and forecasts across the country.
In addition to seven test sites across Australia, CSIRO will be working with University of California, Davis, University of California, Merced and the USGS Water Sciences Institute to test AquaWatch in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, a critical body of water for agriculture and the natural ecosystems of San Francisco Bay.
CSIRO’s Dr Alex Held said testing AquaWatch in different water bodies and ecosystems would help develop and refine the system for use overseas and within Australia.
“It’s a chance to test the system and share experience and knowledge while working with experts from around the world who are facing similar water quality challenges,” Dr Held said.
“Australia and California share many of these challenges, and the great relationships we have built with UC Merced and UC Davis strengthen our mission to address this important global issue.”
“AquaWatch will be the world’s first system to combine data from water sensors and satellites, process the information with advanced data analytics, and provide near real-time water quality monitoring and forecasting.
“This will also contribute to our international efforts in supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
Dr Erin Hesteel from the University of California, Merced, said one of CSIRO’s specialised water quality sensors had been installed near the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers to monitor water supplied for agriculture and protect the delta’s natural ecosystems.
“The sensor allows us to estimate turbidity, a key water quality measurement for the delta smelt, a critically endangered fish,” Dr Hesteel said.
“It can also be used to gain insight into where contaminants of concern, such as mercury, may migrate.
“AquaWatch will enable a region-wide view of water quality in the Delta, while water-based sensors will provide a check to verify and reconcile the satellite information.”
The project contributes to a Memorandum of Understanding signed last year between the Australian and California governments.
Australian Consul General in Los Angeles, Tanya Bennett, said it was fantastic to see the AquaWatch testing site in Sacramento reach this important milestone as a key activity under the Australia-California Agreement on Climate Action.
“This test site highlights the importance of global collaboration and technological advances to monitor impacts on water quality, improve the natural environment and safeguard water supplies for the future,” Bennett said.
The California test site joins AquaWatch test sites already established in Australia, Italy, Malaysia and the UK, with more global test sites currently in development.
